george street 2020

Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected

George Street 2020A Public Domain Activation Strategy

Adopted 10 August 2015

01/

02/

03/

04/

05/06/

1

11

35

45

5157

Revitalising George StreetOur vision for George StreetThe Concept DesignPolicy FrameworkRelated City strategiesGeorge Street past and present

The George Street Public DomainActivation principlesOrganising principlesFixed elementsTemporary elements

Building useFine grainPublic rest rooms and storage

Building ElementsSignsAwningsBuilding materials and finish quality

Public domain activation plansGround floor frontage analysis

George Street 2020 A Public Domain Activation Strategy

George Street 2020 - A Public Domain Activation Strategy


1.1 Our vision for George StreetBy 2020 George Street will be transformed into Sydney’s new civic spine as part of the CBD light rail project. It will be a high quality pedestrian boulevard, linking Sydney’s future squares and key public spaces.

This transformation is a unique opportunity for the City to maximise people’s enjoyment of the street, add vibrancy to the area and support retail and the local economy. This strategy plans for elements in the public domain as well as building edges and building uses to contribute to the success of George Street.

New activities may include outdoor dining, vending, creative or cultural activities or simply improving the comfort of pedestrians encouraging people to walk, stroll or linger and enjoy George Street.

Public domain elements include fixed items such as public seating, lighting and street trees, and temporary elements such as moveable furniture, outdoor dining, and street vending. This strategy does not program temporary uses or activities, but sets the stage for coordinated and high- quality outcomes.

Building uses, particularly those associated with the street level, help activate the street by including public amenities and a fine grain, diverse offering of goods, services and attractions.

Building elements including awnings, signage and materiality contribute to the pedestrian experience of George Street.

This strategy identifies principles and opportunities relating to these elements, and makes recommendations for the design of George Street as well as policy and projects to contribute to the ongoing use and experience of the street.

The City’s investment in the light rail project is supported by long-term committments to upgrading the connecting public domain. Sustainable Sydney 2030 outlines a vision for three linked squares and vibrant city laneways. Existing spaces such as Barrack and Regimental Square, and Martin Place, also provide important opportunities to support activity along George Street. These spaces will be the subject of future analysis and concept development.

RevitalisingGeorge Street


Revitalising George Street

1.2 The Concept Design Our concept for George Street is guided by the following principles: 01 An efficient transport spine

02 A pedestrian focused boulevard

03 A legible spine

04 An iconic street

05 A 24 hour street

06 Linking the city to the harbour

07 Connecting three great squares

In September 2013, Council endorsed the George Street Concept Design, which details public domain improvements along George Street and its adjacent spaces. This concept has been conceived alongside the NSW State Government’s light rail project. This identifies George Street as the north-south route through the city centre.

In December 2013 the City entered into an agreement with the NSW State Government to deliver the George Street light rail project. The City continues to work with Transport for NSW to ensure the best possible outcome, with a focus on a high quality public domain for George Street.

1.3 Policy Framework The transformation of George Street is catalysed by NSW State Government’s light rail project. The light rail and associated upgrade of George Street delivers on a range of State plans and policies, including:

• NSW 2021

• Long Term Transport Masterplan

• Sydney City Centre Access Strategy

• Sydney’s Walking Future

• Sydney’s Cycling Future

• A Plan for Growing Sydney

Figure 1 - Illustrative view - George Street at Martin Place

Town Hall SquareTown Hall Square

Railway SquareRailway Square

Alfred StreetAlfred Street



George Street spine

George Street pedestrianised area

3 squares

Existing public spaces

LanewaysFigure 2 - George Street spine and connecting spaces



Figure 3 - Strategy Context

1.4 Related City strategiesThis study supports the George Street Concept Design, which forms part of the overall City Centre Public Domain Plan. Using a precinct based approach, the Public Domain Plan delivers on Sustainable Sydney 2030 Strategic Directions:

01 A Globally competitive and innovative City;

04 A City for pedestrians and cyclists;

05 A lively and engaging city centre;

06 Vibrant local communities and economies;

07 A cultural and creative city.

Detailed public domain improvement proposals will be developed over timefor each precinct within the City. To date the City has done studies for Chinatown, Harbour Village North and George Street.

The character and function of George Street will also be shaped by a range of City policies and strategies. These include the Economic Development Strategy and Retail Action Plan, Cultural Policy, Walking Strategy and Public Art Strategy.

Sustainable Sydney2030

City Centre PublicDomain Plan

ConnectingOur City

George StreetConcept Design

Chinatown & City SouthPublic Domain Study

Harbour Village NorthPublic Domain Study

City North PublicDomain Strategy

Public DomainDesign Codes

EconomicDevelopment Strategy

CulturalPolicy

Walking Strategy /LGN

Public ArtStrategy

George StreetActivation Strategy

& Action Plan



Figure 4 - City Centre Public Domain Plan study areas

George Street Spine

Harbour Village North

Western Corridor

City North

Retail Core

Town Hall Precinct

City South & Chinatown

Belmore Park Precinct

2004Oxford StLondon

2004Regent StLondon

2005Strøget Copehagen

2005DrottninggatanStockholm

2002Rundle MallAdelaide

2004Bourke St MallMelbourne

2004Swanston StMelbourne

2007Pitt StSydney

2007George StSydney

49,6708,470 14,790

42,490

66,550

13,120

2,13059,230

45,900

11,510

15,700

56,400

33,7406,040

39,780

58,140 57,280

79,670

61,36057,410

72,100

43,550

12,060

55,610

96,110

30,250

126,360Number of pedestrians between 10am - 10pm on a summer weekday

6pm - 10pm

10am - 6pm



1.5 George Street past and presentGeorge Street is one of Australia’s oldest streets. Originally a track for Eora clans that later connected convict encampments at The Rocks to the brickpit near today’s Central Station, the route evolved to become Sydney’s original high street. The construction of Central Station in 1855, The GPO in the 1860s and Sydney Town Hall in the 1880s, cemeted the civic importance of George Street. It was a centre for commerce and trade as well as connecting to the emerging financial area around today’s Martin Place.

George Street has also evolved as an important transport route through central Sydney. In 1899 an electric tramway was opened along George Street to Harris Street. Trams were replaced by diesel buses in 1959.

Today George Street is dominated by vehicle traffic. Buses have the greatest visual and acoustic impact on the experience of the street. The result is a street which no longer functions efficiently for pedestrians or vehicles.

George Street is characterised by:

• Low pedestrian priority;

• An overload of buses;

• Poor pedestrian amenity;

• Noise;

• Closed frontages and facades.

The poor performance of George Street for pedestrians has significant impacts for the retail vibrancy of the street. It also detracts from the walkability of Central Sydney as a whole.

Figure 5 - Source: Public Spaces Public Life - City of Sydney 2007 (Gehl Architects)

Figure 6 - George Street 1930

Figure 7 - George Street today



1 DATA C OLLE C T ION GE OR GE S T R EE T SYDNE Y 2014

64452198712972197264126454671267517912761439486476504319864098765456498645654830282723098025620834765308456084756746574901093874638765038475630486534876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638

67510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765

47567465484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645

01834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813675134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454489

65108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673568712972197264126454671267517912761439486476504319864098765456498645654830282723098025620

83476530845608475674657490109387463876503847563048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402837467356928756283763867510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391

76153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454489651083765058515334766836549518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673568712972197

26412645467126751791276143948647650431986409876545649864565483028272309802562083476530845608475674657490109387463876503847563048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402837467356928756283763867510103147841010

11575134646734646448769835693874659211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674654845768549318

76541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767

48500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813675134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454489651083765058515334766

83651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987465043198640987654564986456548302827230980256208347653084560847567465749010938746387650384756304865348765308476547567465484576854

93187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638675101031478410101157513464673464644876983569387465921153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767

48500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638675101031478410101157513464673464644876983569387465938652115383

54823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591445219871297219726412645467126751791276143948647650431986409876545649864565483028272309802562

08347653084560847567465749010938746387650384756304865348765308476547567465484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439

17615397316543197651349761534431417465914876454695468546109874564501834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364

02837467356928756283763867510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543

98354698136751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674654

84576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735687129721972641264546712675179127614394864765043198640987654564986456548302827230980256208347653084560847567465749010938746387650384756304865348765308476547567465484576854931876541983

47659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638675101031478410101157513464673464644876983569387465938652115383548231483356343493473497634543917615397316543197651349761534431417465914876454695468546109874564501834756013846013876748500545

44896510837650585153347668365495186459186154398354698136348765308476547567465484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735687129721972641264546712675179127614394864765043198640987654564986456548302827230980256208347653084560847

56746574901093874638765038475630486534876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638675101031478410101157513464673464644876983569387465948457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348

75698746565748398746290836402837467356928756283763867510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518

69856984576495186459186154398354698136751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546

98136348765308476547567465484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874650431986409876545649864565483028272309802562083476530845608475674657490109387463876503847563048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765

93487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518

69856984576495186459186154398354698136348765308476547567465484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431

97651349761534431417465914876454695468546109874564501834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645914452198712972197264126454671267517912761439486476504319864098765456498645654830282723098025620834765308456084756746574901093874638765038475

63048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419846854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402

83746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546961543983546981363487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398

74629083640283746735687129721972641264546712675179127614394864765043198640987654564986456548302827230980256208347653084560847567465749010938746387650384756304865348765308476547567465484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735

69287562837638675101031478410101157513464673464644876983569387465938652115383548231483356343493473497634543917615397316543197651349761534431417465914876454695468546109874564501834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683654951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674

65484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735687129721972641264546712675179127614394864765043198640987654564986456548302827230980256208347653084560847567465749010938746387650384756304865348765308476547567465484576854931876541

98347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638675101031478410101157513464673464644876983569387465921153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454

48965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638675101031478410101157513464673464644876983569387465938652115383548231483

35634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981367513464673464644876983569387465938652115383548231483356343493473497634543917615397316

54319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746504319864098765456

49864565483028272309802562083476530845608475674657490109387463876503847563048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402837467356928756283763867510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746592115383548231483

35634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698

74656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454489651083765058515334766836519856951869856

98457649518645914452198712972197264126454671267517912761439486476504319864098765456498645654830282723098025620834765308456084756746574901093874638765038475630486534876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673

56928756283763867510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981

36348765308476547567465484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954

68546109874564501834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813675134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138

76748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673568712972197264126454671267517912761439486476504319864098765456498645654830

28272309802562083476530845608475674657490109387463876503847563048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402837467356928756283763867510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349

34734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454489651083765058515334766836549518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374

67356871297219726412645467126751791276143948647650431986409876545649864565483028272309802562083476530845608475674657490109387463876503847563048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402837467356928756283763867

51010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497

61534431417465914876454695468546109874564501834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813675134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461

09874564501834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987465043198640987654564986456548302827230980256208347653084560847567

46574901093874638765038475630486534876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638675101031478410101157513464673464644876983569387465921153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497

61534431417465914876454695468546109874564501834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638

67510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591445219871297219726412645467126

75179127614394864765043198640987654564986456548356450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981367513464673464644876983569387465938652115383548231483356343493473497634543917615397316543197651349761534431417465914876454

69546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746504319864098765456498645654830282723098025620834765308

45608475674657490109387463876503847563048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402837467356928756283763867510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746592115383548231483356343493473497634543917615397316543

19765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402837467356928

75628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454489651083765058515334766836519856951869856984576495186459144521987129721972641

26454671267517912761439486476504319864098765456498645654830282723098025620834765308456084756746574901093874638765038475630486534876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638675101031478410101157

51346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765475674654845768549318

76541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767

48500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813675134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454489651083765058515334766

83651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813634876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673568712972197264126454671267517912761439486476504319864098765456498645654830282723098025620834765308456084756746

57490109387463876503847563048653487653084765475674654845768549318765419834765913847657438934718394569384765934875698746565748398746290836402837467356928756283763867510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134

BENCHM AR K ING S T UDYGE OR GE S T R EE T, SYDNE Y

DATA C OLLE C T ION 2014

DR AF T 18 .11.2014

Figure 8



Public Spaces/Public Life, 2007In 2007 the City of Sydney commissioned Gehl Architects to create a blueprint to turn Sydney into a people-friendly, public transport-oriented and green city. The study provided Sydney a comprehensive set of ideas and recommendations to transform the city. The Public Spaces/Public Life study provided the genesis for the George Street light rail concept, informed the Strategic Directions of Sustainable Sydney 2030 and generated the Light Rail Concept Design.

This strategy is informed by the recommendations of Public Spaces/Public Life.

George Street Benchmarking Study, 2014

The City has engaged Gehl Architects to undertake a benchmarking study of George Street. This will collate a range of data on George Street today to measure:

• Mobility;

• Public life;

• Experience;

• Identity;

• Economics; and

• Environmental impacts.

The City will use this data to measure the performance of George Street as it transforms to a pedestrian and light rail corridor. This will allow better comparisons to be drawn between George Street and other Sydney streets, as well as great streets in other cities and countries.

The benchmarking data will be useful in assessing the pedestrianised area of George Street. It will determine the degree to which we can further activate the street to encourage pedestrian movement.




TRANSFORMING GEORGE STREET

01An efficienttransport spine

02A pedestrianfocused boulevard

03A legiblespine

04An iconicstreet

05A 24-hourstreet

06Linking the city to theharbour

07Connecting three great squares

CircularQuay

Bridge Street

Wynyard

Market Street

Liverpool Street

Hay Street

Town Hall

Central

CentralStation

Town HallSquare

Bridge Street

Liverpool Street



03A legiblespine

04An iconicstreet 05

A 24-hourstreet



CircularQuay

Bridge Street

Wynyard

Market Street

Liverpool Street

Hay Street

Town Hall

Central

CentralStation

Town HallSquare

CircularQuay



03A legiblespine

04An iconicstreet

05A 24-hourstreet



CircularQuay

Bridge Street

Wynyard

Market Street

Liverpool Street

Hay Street

Town Hall

Central

CentralStation

Town HallSquare

Bridge Street

Liverpool Street



03A legiblespine


A 24-hourstreet



CircularQuay

Bridge Street

Wynyard

Market Street

Liverpool Street

Hay Street

Town Hall

Central

CentralStation

Town HallSquare

CircularQuay

DESIGN PRINCIPLESSeven design principles have guided the

development of City of Sydney's Concept

Design for George Street's transformation.

The overall targets of the design principles are

to deliver a strengthened identity, an improved

mobility, an invigorated public life, and a more

resilient economy. Through achieving these

four overarching goals George Street will

experience an improved business economy

that will benefit the entire city centre as more

visitors are attracted and people are invited to

stay longer.

The links between the overall targets and the

design principles are shown on this page.

IDENTITY

A PEDESTRIAN

FOCUSED BOULEVARD

AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORT SPINE

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The following pages describes central key

performance indicators which can be used

for measuring the transformation process of

George Street. They have been selected based

on their ability to deliver the above targets

and principles. Based on these indicators four

success criteria are suggested. In the coming

years other indicators and success criteria

could be added to the list.

The report continues to present the data

collected for this report. This data has been

organized in four chapters, Identity, Mobility,

Public Life and Economics. The first three

chapters focus on conditions and impacts

on George Street, whereas the Economics

chapter also considers the transformation

of George Street in relation to the whole of

Sydney's central business district.




03A legiblespine

04An iconicstreet

05A 24-hourstreet



CircularQuay

Bridge Street

Wynyard

Market Street

Liverpool Street

Hay Street

Town Hall

Central

CentralStation

Town HallSquare

Bridge Street

Liverpool Street



03A legiblespine


A 24-hourstreet



CircularQuay

Bridge Street

Wynyard

Market Street

Liverpool Street

Hay Street

Town Hall

Central

CentralStation

Town HallSquare

CircularQuay

CONNECTING THREE GREAT SQUARES

LINKING THE CITY

TO THE HARBOURA 24-HOUR STREET

AN ICONIC STREET

A LEGIBLE SPINE

MOBILITY PUBLIC LIFE ECONOMICS

Figure 9 - Excerpt - George Street Benchmarking Study (Gehl Architects)


Figure 10 - Illustrative view - George Street Concept Design



The George StreetPublic Domain

2.1 Activation principlesThe City’s vision for George Street is guided by the following principles:

• Maximisation of space for pedestrians

• Minimisation of clutter in the streetscape

• A balance between public and private occupation of space

• A 24-hour street offering diversity of use beyond traditional business hours

• A dedicated flex-zone to contain all furnishings and free standing elements

• A co-ordinated suite of elements

• Universal accessibility

• High quality design and materiality

The implications of these principles for the public domain and building edges of George Street will be developed in this strategy.


The George Street Public Domain

2.2 Organising principlesGeorge Street’s organising principles, general layout and extent of pedestrianisation are set out in the George Street Concept Design (endorsed 2013). The organisation of the public domain is explained below.

Universal access

George Street will be the primary north-south corridor for pedestrian movement in Central Sydney. Safe and comfortable movement for all is an important part of a high-quality public domain.

The transformation of George Street, including pedestrianisation of about 1km of the street, is an unprecedented opportunity to improve universal access. A continuous shore line is an important tool for pedestrians with mobility impairments to find their way along the street and use the north-south spine of the city.

Providing a clear, uncluttered path of travel is a priority. To achieve this, a 3.6m minimum width pedestrian movement zone will be provided along the property boundary on each side of the street.

Tram movement and infrastructure

The light rail has allowed for increased pedestrian space along George Street. In both pedestrianised and non-pedestrianised areas, a safe light rail corridor and adequate clear space for pedestrian movement are priorities. To accommodate tram movement and infrastructure these principles will be adopted.

• An approx. 6.75m wide corridor for light rail movement (referred to as the Light Rail Developed Kinematic Envelope or DKE) will be provided down the centre of the street.*

• A tree zone will be provided along each side of the light rail DKE to contain street trees and smart poles. The centreline of trees is to be 0.9m from the DKE in the pedestrianised area.

The flex-zone

The remaining space between the pedestrian movement zone and either the kerb (in non pedestrianised areas) or the tree zone (in pedestrianised areas) is referred to as the ‘flex-zone’. It contains all the permanent and temporary public domain elements required along the length of the street.

Fixed furniture such as seating, bins and bubblers will be located in the flex-zone.Where the width of the street allows, the wider flex-zone can accommodate activity such as transient seating, outdoor dining or trading. The pedestrianised area of George Street presents the primary opportunitiy for utilising the flex-zone. Outside the pedestrianised area the width of the flex-zone is limited, or non-existent.

The flex-zone is indicated on the block-by-block plans in Part 5 of this document.

Design recommendations

• Provide a minimum 3.6m clear corridor for pedestrian movement along the property boundary on each side of George Street.

• Provide an approximately 6.75m wide corridor for light rail, clear of any fixtures or intrusions (the light rail DKE).

• Provide a zone along each side of the light rail DKE to accommodate street tree planting and smart poles, as shown.

• The flex-zone occupies the remainder of the footpath area, and contains all fixed and temporary public domain elements.

• Where conditions have been satisfied and the remaining flex-zone has a useable width of at least 3m, activity such as transient seating, outdoor dining or trading can be considered.



Figure 11 - Pedestrianised area - spatial requirement

Figure 12 - Non-pedestrianised area - spatial requirements

1.35m

3.6m

1.35m

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT ZONE

LIGHT RAIL DKE ZONE

3.6m


TREE ZONE

FLEX ZONE

FLEX ZONE

TREE ZONE

approx.

6.75m

varies0-4.2m

varies0-4.2m

3.6m1.35m


LIGHT RAIL

TRAFFIC

FLEX ZONE

TRAFFIC

DKE ZONE

3.6m


TREE ZONE

varies 0-2.7m

varies

varies

approx.

6.75m

1.35m

TREE ZONE

– moveable seating

– outdoor trading

– food trucks

– pop-up gardens

– temporary art

– outdoor dining

– performances

– curated displays

– event information

– street music

– evening markets

– busking

– wi-fi hotspots

– and more>

Flex-ZoneActivation Ideas

Figure 14

Figure 15


The George Street Public Domain

Figure 13

george street 2020

Documents