Subdivision design for a sustainable future

What’s included in this fact sheet:

Streets and Public Realm

This fact sheet explains how subdivision design can respond to a variety of sustainability outcomes to create a people focused local street network and public realm to encourage walking whilst increasing biodiversity and mitigating the urban heat island effect.

Designing streets and public realm with a focus on people is seen as one of the most influential contributors to sustainable subdivisions. If streets and public realm are designed right, there will be flow on benefits to each of the other six opportunity areas, including: Site Layout and Liveability, Energy, Ecology, Integrated Water Management, Urban Heat and Circular Economy (Materials and Waste).

Designing people focused streets and open space, including playgrounds, parks and sporting fields, sets the preconditions to create pedestrian and bicycle friendly neighbourhoods in which people of all abilities can easily and safely move around.

The local street network should be seen as more than conduits for movement of vehicles. By prioritising people and active transport modes rather than vehicle traffic will enable long term behavioural change and improve the amenity of new neighbourhoods. This will result in the transition to low emission, low pollution alternatives that enable healthier communities.

Public Realm can be designed as inviting, vibrant places that support local community and economy, and drive biodiversity, urban cooling, and integrated water management outcomes.

Why do subdivisions need to focus on people when designing streets and public realm?

Benefits of people focused streets and public realm

What should be considered to create people focused streets and public realm?

• People focus• Environmental co-benefits Where can I find out more?

Benefits of people focused streets and public realm

Why do subdivisions need to focus on people when designing streets and public realm?

Sustainable Subdivisions Framework7 Key Sustainable Subdivision Categories 2.0

Developers can take advantage of:• Enhanced market appeal of the subdivision

to prospective purchasers• Demonstrating best practice in creating

climate resilient neighbourhoods

A new resident can expect:• Better health and wellbeing resulting from

pedestrian focused streets• A safer, more visually interesting public realm• Improved environmental outcomes in streets

and open spaces• Improved connection to place, having access

to improved streets and public realm which create a sense of community

Where can I find out more?

Designing streets and public realm with future residents in mind will strongly influence outcomes in this category.

People focused streets and public realm objectives include:• To design and construct footpaths, shared

path and cycle path networks that are safe, comfortable, well-constructed and accessible for people with disabilities

• To ensure that streetscape liveability is prioritised by underground service design

• To encourage walking to local destinations• To create pockets of nature with seats for

resting and shade from trees to improve the streetscape, comfort, amenity and increase biodiversity

• To encourage the integration of cultural heritage in public realm design to contribute to a unique and valued sense of place

• To ensure the delivery of the public realm is high amenity, diverse and visually interesting

• To reduce transport related carbon emissions

Other Fact Sheets in this series are also available to provide guidance on the 7 Sustainable Subdivision Categories. For further information on Streets and Public Realm, see the Fact Sheets entitled:• Site Layout and Liveability• Energy• Ecology• Integrated Water Management• Urban Heat• Circular Economy

Sustainable Buildings Fact Sheetsimap.vic.gov.au

Rating ToolsGreen Star Communitieswww.gbca.org.auEnviroDevelopment: www.envirodevelopment.com.au

Sustainable Infrastructure GuidelinesProvides alternative design and construction initiatives to achieve greater sustainability outcomeswww.designmanual.com.au

Safer Design GuidelinesGuidelines provide advice on: design and layout of public spaces and neighbourhoods https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/urban-design/urban-design-guidelines

DISCLAIMER: This Fact Sheet has been created for general information purposes only. While the Fact Sheet has been created with all due care, no warranty is given as to its suitability for any particular purpose and users should obtain their own advice relevant to their situation and specific needs. This Fact Sheet has been created with thanks to IMAP who have developed the Fact Sheet series for the SDAPP (Buildings) Framework.

People focus

People Focused Streets and Public Realm in Subdivision Design

Designing people focused streets and public realm will have significant co-benefits and will impact on the ability of the subdivision to achieve positive environmental outcomes.

Objectives relating to environmental co-benefits include:• To provide green infrastructure for a range

of ecosystem services (including CO2 reduction and habitat for biodiversity), to reduce the heat island effect, and to provide shade for active transport pathways

Environmental Co-benefits

When designing streets and public realm that are people focused, there are significant opportunities to also enhance biodiversity and mitigate urban heat. However, it ultimately also supports reducing transport related emissions by creating streets that are accessible to people of all abilities.

By designing a diversity in streets, limiting the length of street blocks (200m for a priority pedestrian street) and including visual interest and rest nodes in the landscape, residents are encouraged to utilise the spaces.

Designing people focused streets and public realm have a high degree of influence in the overall liveability of the neighbourhood by creating high amenity streets that encourage walking and cycling and community interaction.

By reconsidering the way the underground services are designed, there are opportunities to increase the number and size of trees, create space for water sensitive urban design in the streetscape to improve overall amenity.