Dunedin adopts street design guide

Dunedin has joined other cities both in New Zealand and around the world in endorsing the Global Street Design Guide.

Councillors voted to adopt the guide during a meeting of the Dunedin City Council’s planning and environment committee on Tuesday.

Developed by National Association of City Transportation Officials and the Global Designing Cities Initiative, the guide contains information such as how streets should be designed, integrated planning strategies for infrastructure and utilities, street and intersection design and how to design streets for great cities.

Auckland and Wellington have already adopted the guide.

Council urban design team leader Crystal Filep told councillors the guide was a tool,  rather than a set of rules which needed to be followed.

"It makes sense if Dunedin wants to be a great little city to jump on board and learn from other great cities around the world."

Cr Lee Vandervis asked if there was a risk Dunedin could lose its identity and character by adopting the guide. As the guide was not a set of rules it could be adapted to suit the different environment and character of cities, Dr Filep said.

Techniques found in the guide had already been used in Dunedin, such as in the design of Jetty St as a pedestrian-only street and amenity upgrades on Vogel St.

Cr Aaron Hawkins said the adoption of the guide showed a maturity and evolution of the council’s view on street design.

"Hopefully, this doesn’t sit on a shelf gathering dust but helps shape the city for the next decade and beyond," Cr Hawkins said.