Design for People Connected
Places that are connected physically and socially

Melbourne
ATTRIBUTES
It is well connected to surrounding areas
- Is it physically connected to surroundings areas?
For example, you can walk, ride, catch public transport or drive to surrounding areas.
- Will physical barriers be avoided or minimised?
For example, train lines, motorways, hospital campuses and other major infrastructure can divide communities.
- Will surrounding development encroach on, or prevent the future upgrade of, critical infrastructure?
You can see where you are and where you are going
- Is it visually connected to surrounding areas?
For example, significant landscape or built features can be seen from surrounding areas.
- Is it easy to orient yourself and navigate from one place to another?
- Is the layout of streets and pathways clear and logical, particularly for people walking or riding a bicycle?
- Is there clear signage showing people where they are, and to help them find where they are going?
There is a range of transport options, including public transport, walking and bicycling
- Is there a good range of transport options and routes available – including frequent and reliable public transport?
- Are there direct and logical walking and bicycling routes connecting homes and workplaces to key destinations such as public transport, shops, schools and parks?
- Will public transport be available from the first stages of the development?
It is connected to places with jobs, schools, shops, facilities and services
- Is there good access to a range of employment and education opportunities?
- Are there grocery stores and supermarkets within walking distance (500 metres) of residential and work areas?
- Does it consider how businesses and facilities will be serviced? For example delivery of goods and disposal of waste.
It is connected with the past – the heritage of a place – and with the community and its culture
- Is there a connection with the past (heritage buildings, structures and places)?
- Have places of heritage, cultural, social or archaeological significance been protected or interpreted through restoration, installations, re-use or tourism?
It feels connected with the natural environment
- Are landscape features connected to one another? For example, waterways, bushland and open spaces are connected to create continuous green networks and habitat corridors.
- Are all homes and workplaces within walking distance (500m) of at least one public open space?
REFERENCES/LINKS
Complete Streets – Urban design guidelines
A comprehensive how-to-kit on urban street design, which is community focused and caters for a wide range of end-users (Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia Queensland Division, 2010).
Do Enhancements to the Urban Built Environment Improve Physical Activity Levels Among Socially Disadvantaged Populations?
A paper presenting the findings of a study on the effects of changes in the built environment on the physical activity-related health inequities in Maori and low-income New Zealand populations (Pearce, J & Maddison, R, 2011).
The Impact of Urban Form on Public Health
A report detailing the impacts of urban design and planning on the physical and mental health of communities (Giles-Corti, B, 2006, State of Environment Committee).
PrintLast modified: August 26, 2015