Public Places

Ainslie Shops Upgrade

Parks, Conservation and Lands works collaboratively with local communities, traders, building owners and ACT Government stakeholders to create vibrant public places in Civic, town and suburban centres, streets and parks. Works include the Civic, Town and Shopping Centre Refurbishment Program, Street and Park Tree Replacement Program and lighting, signage, park, playground improvements. Local communities have enthusiastically grasped the opportunity to become involved with design teams to develop innovative plans, which incorporate community art and cultural information, creating unique and inviting public places.

Core values for creating public places:

• Vibrant
• Accessible for All
• Safe
• Attractive
• Create a Sense of Place
• Cultural Expression and Identity
• Collaboration
• Functionality and Usability
• Community Opportunities & Facilities

Creating Opportunities

Vibrant public places provide opportunities for people to meet, be entertained and express themselves culturally. Works are intended to encourage use and enjoyment of public places by all members of the community, including people with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, older people, indigenous people, young people and families. Opportunities are created and the core values (as listed above) are achieved by introducing or improving paving, lighting, playground equipment, street furniture, plantings, pedestrian access, car parking, outdoor eating and entertainment opportunities, art works, traffic management, signage and cultural information.

Community Collaboration

A collaborative design process involves the participation of community and stakeholders through consultation. Consultation is commenced prior to design work enabling a full understanding of the desires and aspirations of the community and stakeholders. Design options are developed which seek to incorporate these desires and aspirations and further consultation determines if the design options are culturally acceptable to the community and stakeholders.