The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) has unveiled a commitment to deliver equal access to public spaces, with the launch of a new public spaces charter.
Announced by Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes, the NSW Public Spaces Charter establishes a set of 10 principles to underpin the creation and improvement of high-quality public spaces across the State.
Mr Stokes encouraged Councils, industry and communities to sign up to DPIE’s Charter to unify the commitment to equal access to public spaces.
“The pandemic has emphasised the need for safe and welcoming public space, and the NSW Public Spaces Charter will set a design bar for achieving that,” he said.
“The Charter provides 10 principles for quality public space that have been designed to maximise the social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits that public space delivers.
“During 2022, signatories will be supported with advice on how to implement the NSW Public Spaces Charter into their organisation or practice.”
Mr Stokes said the 10 principles were Open and Welcoming; Community Focused; Culture and Creativity; Local Character and Identity; Green and Resilient; Healthy and Active; Local Business and Economies; Safe and Secure; Designed for Place; and Well Managed.
The Minister said the benefits of becoming a signatory on DPIE’s Charter included access to Government one-on-one support; a community of practice; promotional opportunities; data sharing; and advice on how to implement the Charter into an organisation or practice.
He said the Charter was developed in close alignment with the United Nations’ Charter of Public Space, released in 2013.
DPIE’s 22-page Public Spaces Charter can be accessed at this PS News link.
