Streets make up about 80% of the public realm. All this space is predominantly designed for cars. While the urban and suburban areas are getting denser, streets are not accommodating other uses to compensate for the densification on private land. At the same time, Covid19 and the lockdowns have made communities realise how important the streets as public space are for their well-being. However, making streetscapes less car-focused seems to be prohibited by technical requirements that reign over the design of streets.

This course will provide insights into the practicalities of street design and how to achieve better outcomes. It will explore why streets currently look like they do, both at a technical level and from a broader cultural perspective. It will discuss multifunctional alternatives and will equip participants to successfully negotiate for more inclusive and attractive streetscapes.

Suitable for:
Local Government Officers, Elected Members, Urban Designers, Architects, Civil Engineers, and everybody else who is engaged with street design and would like to gain insights into effectively improving streetscapes.

Learning outcomes:
• Develop critical thinking around how streets are used and designed
• Understand what developments have led to the current streetscape status quo
• Recognise the technical assumptions behind standard street designs
• Comprehend the required conditions for creating active and attractive streets
• Develop insights to effectively negotiate improvements in street designs
• Understand the role of professional disciplines, decision makers and residents

The course will be a combination of group discussions, work sessions and a design exercise, alternated with lecture-type presentations.

Presented by Australian Urban Design Research Centre UWA
Tickets $154