Perth
/ AUSTRALIA / 2009
PROJECT: PUBLIC SPACES & PUBLIC LIFE SURVEY CLIENT: CITY OF PERTH & DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE, WEST AUSTRALIA
In 1993 an extensive Public Space Public Life Study was carried out in Perth by a team headed by prof. Jan Gehl. 15 years after the first Perth study Gehl Architects was once again commissioned to do a follow up study to document the quality improvements achieved in the city and to study how public life has responded to the many changes.
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CITY PROJECT
1993
2009
Above: Public space upgrades have considerably improved walking conditions in central Perth.
The 2009 study reveals that a number of people-first strategies following the recommendations of the 1993 Public Space Public Life Survey have been successfully implemented in central Perth. The pedestrian environment has been greatly improved through physical as well as visual measures, more places to stay are offered and access to the city centre has been enhanced through extended public transport services. The result is an expanded city heart with substantial growth in city life - more people walking and spending time in the city centre. However, in 2009, a number of challenges and obvious potentials still need to be addressed in order for Perth to become a world class city for the 21st
Daytime pedestrian traffic has increased:
13%
Daytime stationary activity has increased:
57%
century. Perth’s future development relies heavily on physical projects taking full advantage of the city’s greatest assets - the fabulous landscape setting and wonderful climate. Further focus should be placed on processes that introduce more experimental and leisure oriented uses of the city. Processes that invite and encourage the use of the city centre as a 21st century meeting place for the people in the region.
Public Space and Public Life registrations show that Perth city centre has experienced a significant increase in city life over the past 15 years.
15%
Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1 · DK 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk
more seats on public benches
74%
more seats on cafe chairs