Innovating Streets projects demonstrated how tactical urbanism can be used to build a pipeline of shovel ready projects and bring forward benefits for communities.
Through the programme, approximately 89km of street changes were introduced. Changes to streets ranged from kerb buildouts and speed cushions, to parklets, pedestrian crossings, and cycleways. In most cases, projects were made up of multiple changes.
While each project had unique objectives, the project evaluations has been brought together to provide an overview of the outcomes achieved through the programme.
Outcomes reported included:
Other outcomes reported included positive community engagement and participation in projects, social procurement delivering local economic benefits, and community support or demand for more street innovation.
29 of the projects reported a reduction in vehicle speeds.
Speeds reduced to below 30km/hr on 3 streets:
Residents in Richmond, Tasman enjoy quieter streets after the creation of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood.
17 projects reported a reduction in vehicle volumes.
Heavy vehicle volumes reduced by 38% on the local road network and by 53% on residential streets.
Changes to streets in Gore led to a reduction in the amount of heavy vehicles and traffic using residential streets.
28 projects reported an increase in the number of people biking, walking and scooting.
41% increase in active mode users during school peak times near Cambridge Primary School, including a 58% (24) increase in the number of people on bikes.
Children in Cambridge enjoy the freedom of biking to school thanks to the temporary cycleway.
25 projects reported safer and more accessible environments for pedestrians.
>70% of evaluation workshop participants agreed street changes are easy and safe to use as a pedestrian
Community members stencil their designs on the street outside the local school.
10 projects reported a safer and more accessible environment for people cycling.
64% of survey respondents say the road is safer for everyone.
The Brooklyn Road cycleway offers people on bikes protection from the large levels of traffic that use the road.
Close7 projects reported an increase I the number of people spending time in the altered area.
“The space gives an impression that we are proud of our town and creates a buzz that business will benefit from.”
-Local Business Owner
Thames residents embrace the new community space on Mary Street.
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Innovation Streets 2020–21 programme evaluation summary [PDF, 15 MB] (November 2020)
Innovation Streets 2020–21 programme full report [PDF, 18 MB] (April 2022)
The programme created a pipeline of shovel-ready projects across the country. These projects helped reduce speeds, vehicle volumes and enabled councils to move faster on projects they had wanted to implement.
Pipeline of shovel-ready projects infographic [PDF, 140 KB]
