The godfather of Sydney’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan, Danish architect Jan Gehl, has returned to the harbour city to view his work, 16 years on from his last visit.

Gehl is the urbanist who suggested light rail and pedestrianisation down George Street, as well as new public squares and sustainable design principles. Upon his current visit, Gehl has been consulted in regards to the creation of civic squares – notably the public plaza upgrade between Town Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral – and increased pedestrian access.

“Public space is a very important aspect of a good and well-functioning city,” Gehl says.

“After being invaded by cars and traffic for 50 years we’re now seeing many examples of cities being reconquered for people. Sydney is an example of this, where the transformation of George Street is a great change.”

Gehl’s vision for Sydney is divided into four overarching themes: a green and cool city, improved mobility and access, a city for all and a strong city magnet for people.

City of Sydney is creating greater tree cover, landscaping more than 28,000 metres of public space, while 65 kilometres of cycleways and infrastructure and 60 kilometres of shared paths have been created since 2004. Sydney’s history encompasses Indigenous, Colonial and migrant cultures, and cites the pedestrianisation of George Street as the catalyst for a ‘re-visioning’ of all city streets, placing people at its epicentre.

“Jan Gehl’s contribution to the transformation of Sydney’s city centre is unparalleled,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO says.

“We have come a long way since 2007 when Jan Gehl said Sydney had turned its back on the harbour, and that it was at breaking point, unable to cope with traffic volumes and gradually being choked in fumes and noise.

“When we saw Public Spaces and Public Life, featuring George Street as a 2.5 kilometre pedestrian boulevard with light rail as its centrepiece and three large civic squares, pedestrian and cycling networks, green connections and revitalised laneways, I knew we had our vision.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to realise Sydney’s potential as a green, global and connected city and a city for people, and we did so together. Quality public space is fundamental to enjoyable city living and we’re edging closer to making three new landmark public squares a reality.

In regards to the future, Moore is bullish on what comes next.

“We’d like to see a public square at Central station that welcomes people arriving in Sydney, one overlooking the beautiful harbour at Circular Quay and another that functions as an outdoor living room outside Sydney Town Hall.

“Building basic infrastructure for a growing population to function is one thing but providing the physical framework for neighbourhoods to flourish is another.”

Jarrod Reedie

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