Creating a city on a human scale

Improving access for pedestrians is part of transforming the city of Hobart into a healthier and more livable city, says Damon Thomas

CAN Hobart remain livable with all the change we see happening?

Hobart is a city in transition. All around Hobart, the council has commissioned a significant streets and public infrastructure upgrade fitting for a city of the 21st century.

Whilst there is understandably annoyance and inconvenience caused by successive road works around the city and suburbs the greater majority see and recognise the public value in replacing and remodelling out-of-date and ill-equipped infrastructure to allow for a city with people in mind and to complement the significant private works that are currently taking place.

While it will not always be practical or even possible I believe that if making cities more people and pedestrian friendly can occur in London, New York and in exemplar cities like Freiburg in Germany and in Melbourne and Sydney and only if it proves feasible and fully accepted by the community the council should consider the scaling down of roads and intersections to provide a human scale street environment.

Such transformations encourage multi-use areas for the provision of public seating possibilities, more opportunities for physical activities, strengthen the pedestrian network, encourage more opportunities for relaxing in the public spaces on a daily basis and make the city more attractive to study, work and live in. Further to the significant investment and development within our city the council must keep pace by investing, improving and modernising our roads, paths and open spaces.

Indeed since transformation comes at a cost it is both vital and appropriate that we proceed cautiously and respectfully to ensure that we do not threaten people’s view as their Hobart disappearing and being replaced by what some see as a cardboard replica of cities elsewhere.

This is totally understandable and indeed wise because we must not impose on our community a change which does not have broad approval or social licence. What is however valuable is to allow for a full review and discussion of such new concepts and possible new initiatives.

In a soon to be debated motion before council introduced by myself and Alderman Jeff Briscoe, we propose that the city simply examine and provide a report to the council on the potential for a permanent partial road closure in Campbell St, Hobart, between Bathurst St and Collins St, with a single traffic lane to remain open for emergency services vehicles, public transport and bicycle access and for the closure to be outside of the peak hours.

So then why now for at least the idea to be floated?

The rationale for that report and indeed for the initiative is that with the significant public and private investment in and around Campbell St as with all transformative cities that the physical conditions provided for pedestrians and issues related to walking and getting around are properly considered.

Currently Hobart has a weak pedestrian network and indeed since the introduction of cars has been a city largely defined by its dependence on vehicles and a low usage of public transport.

Vehicular traffic does to some extent dominate the city and has a negative effect on a number of streets and public spaces.

Calming of vehicular traffic and giving a higher priority to people in transit, cyclists and pedestrians is required to create a more lively and social environment.

Cities around the world are judged and critiqued on their ‘livability’ which has as a key criteria the encouragement of open space and amenity and the availability of pedestrian friendly zones.

The Gehl report upon which much of the current and medium term $300m infrastructure spend is referenced lays emphasis on transforming Hobart from a car dependent city to one which has a range of transport modes, including cars and pedestrian friendly facilities. The motion calls for a report on the benefits of increasing pedestrian networks and people-friendly

The report will include a close examination of alternative transport routes in the area, including the availability of the adjacent Brooker Highway out of the peak and also countenance the potential for a vehicle-free zone — except for the emergency vehicles access cited above — which might be time linked for example 9.30am until 4pm and 6.30pm until 9.30am.

The city is currently represented in a delegation visiting European university cities together with the University of Tasmania Vice Chancellor specifically looking at pedestrian friendly zones cities and towns where the university presence is both well regarded and heavily promoted.

Cities known previously for their car dependence, including London, Rome, Sydney and Melbourne, are either active in or are seriously contemplating creating more pedestrian friendly zones within the central business district.

Major developments in the area include promotion of the establishment of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics hub (STEM) on

the corner of Argyle and Melville streets of which is expected to bring 3000 students and 700 staff and the construction of a major creative industries and performing arts development.

This exciting centre to be known as the Hedberg will create a world-class entertainment precinct, which will invigorate and enliven both the Wapping precinct and the city as a whole.

Closing roads comes of course at a cost and that cost must be balanced against the positive impact of this vehicle traffic in heavily trafficked pedestrian areas.

So too the history tells us the commercial development of all sorts servicing the population, students and tourists alike flourishes where a more pedestrian friendly zone is created.

The new developments will bring an increase of people to study, work and live in the city generating an unprecedented level of heavy pedestrian activity.

This strengthens the pedestrian network, creating opportunity to support the unique character of this area.

The council supports the continued growth of the University of Tasmania campuses in the inner city. A key role in supporting growth is to provide great pedestrian environments around the city.

In this case sophisticated traffic modelling is available which will show the impact of diverting traffic flow and remembering that this report will include the potential for closure only in non-peak hour times.

At no time did we as the movers of the motion consider any outcome which would create any further traffic congestion. Being mindful of what may show in research is a light flow of out of peak hour’s traffic all that is asked for is that open minds are retained until a comprehensive report can be considered — with public input at all levels.

Is this Hobart’s next major people friendly zone? Only the appropriate amount of time and public support and acceptance will make it so.