Hobart is set to undergo a facelift with internationally acclaimed architect and urban designer Professor Jan Gehl commissioned to help with their Inner City Development Plan.
The Plan will focus on improving levels of people movement, people activity and amenity within Hobart CBD.
The development follows extensive community consultation, which culminated in the formation and adoption of Hobart’s 2025 Vision Statements and 20 Year Strategic Framework.
“Council wishes to see the city restored to the people, and Jan Gehl’s investigations will form a framework to manage the continued evolution of the inner city as an enjoyable and functional place for locals and visitors,” said Lord Mayor Rob Valentine.
The plan will encompass four key elements:
- detailed evaluation of key public spaces
- detailed analysis of how people use the inner city
- generating ideas that will address gaps and opportunities
to improve movement within and across the city - recommendations for projects improving the vitality, liveability
and involvement of the community of the inner city.
Gehl Architects will now work with students at the University of Tasmania’s School of Architecture to look at how the public space is currently used.
This will result in significant knowledge transfer and upskilling of architecture students, that will in turn lead to better urban planning.
Many local businesses support the development plan.
CEO of Myer, Bernie Brookes, said he is looking forward to working with Council in further developing the plan.
“This initiative will provide the impetus for private sector investment into the CBD, and provides companies such as ours with the confidence that Council has a clear vision for the city,” he said.
Given the need to analyse the city in both summer and winter, the project is expected to take around 12 months.
