The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) is calling for public feedback on a draft plan to make the City Centre a more sustainable, inclusive and safe place to live and work.
Launching its Draft City Plan, EPSDD said the plan was accompanied by a draft Canberra City Centre Urban Design Framework (UDF) going into detail on how the ACT could make the City Centre a leader in well-designed, sustainable urban spaces.
“The City Plan provides a long-term vision for the way the city looks, feels and is used,” EPSDD said.
“It looks at proposed locations and types of development and redevelopment, and suggests actions that can deliver strategic change, growth and renewal,” it said.
“The draft plan builds on the 2014 City Plan, which successfully led the way for much of the City Centre’s development over the last eight years.”
EPSDD said the proposed draft plan centred around six key themes: Sustainable Growth, Diverse City Centre, Movement and Place, Community, Design Excellence, and Character.
It said the UDF provided key directions and recommendations for achieving high quality urban design outcomes, “looking specifically about how we make better streets, places, open space and buildings for the people who live in or come to the city for work or pleasure”.
“The urban design framework is about making sure the City Centre meets the aspirations of all Canberrans,” the Directorate said.
“It sets out how we can achieve density, design excellence, high quality buildings, great streets and public open spaces, while supporting arts and culture.”
Welcoming the draft plan and UDF which will be open for feedback until 13 March, the Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman said the updated City Plan provided a comprehensive refresh to the original plan and reflected the significant changes that had occurred in planning policy and development of the City Centre and the Territory since 2014.
“Central to the draft City Plan is the vision of making the City Centre a fair place for all,” Mr Gentleman said.
“This means a place that is community focussed, walkable, public transport-oriented, sustainable, resilient and connected to its landscape.”
EPSDD’s 84-page Draft City Plan can be accessed at this PS News link and its 153-page draft Urban Design Framework at this link.
