Jan Gehl’s plans for Sydney are being blocked by too many competing agendas, says the former Lord Mayor of London.
Sydney needs one organization to take responsibility for a metropolitan transport plan that encourages public transport, walking and cycling, Ken Livingstone said at a press conference ahead of his City of Sydney talk this evening.
Sydney roads are a “ridiculous” series of waits for pedestrians, and the city needs to take on Jan Gehl’s recommendations to create a walkable city that makes the most of its harbour location, Livingstone said.
Professor Gehl urged the city to allocate more quality space for pedestrians and cyclists, and use current public road space for events, concerts, parties and cafes, on a part or full time basis. He proposed a dedicated north-south public transport corridor, linked by a series of public squares. This would involve the closure of George Street to cars, making it a central thoroughfare open to people to walk, cycle and travel on light rail.
“This isn’t revolution. It’s sensible reform,” Livingstone said.
However, the city’s public transport system would have to be vastly improved before it could support a congestion charge similar to that introduced by Livingstone in London, , Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“Congestion charging without adequate public transport will not reduce traffic congestion or emissions, and is unlikely to have public support.” Major inner city renewal sites, such as Barangaroo and Green Square, have an important role in the future of public transport, Moore said.
In order to commercially viable these developments will need to be “climate positive” zones, rather than simply low emitting or zero carbon areas, she said. “This means not just well designed, energy efficient buildings with local energy generation, but also excellent public transport.”
Getting Sydney’s transport system right is “vital” to its position as a world-class city and its future economy, UTS urban transport lecturer Gary Glazebrook said.
