Associate Professor Matthew Burke from Griffith University says when a city hits on the right formula they secure more patronage, people are more active and the image of the city improves, among other benefits.

As the consultation launched by Dubbo City Council for the Ignite Our Centre CBD Precincts Plan enters its final weeks, the associate professor, deputy director of the university’s Urban Research Program, said the process was important for the city’s future.

“Activity centres have to keep positioning themselves for the future or towns and retail precincts will lose out in the competition for customers, residents and investment,” he said.

“When cities get it right and create great streets that attract people in the daytime and in the evening, they get an uplift in patronage, the city’s image rises, people are more active, they feel better about their city and themselves, and it’s an all-round positive impact.

“Cities that don’t plan well can sometimes muddle through but more often they can spiral backwards.”

Associate Professor Burke praised the council for the initiative.

“Councils have limited resources for strategic planning and Dubbo is using theirs in a useful manner here, trying to engage people in a meaningful conversation about ways forward,” he said.

“From what’s received thus far it looks like many people want to improve the ambience and streetscape.

“These are issues that business and local government will need to work on together, over the long haul, using one agreed urban design strategy.”

More shop-top housing is among a number of potential outcomes suggested in Ignite Our Centre promotional material to bring “excitement and activity into our CBD”.

“The idea of getting more housing in and around the city centre makes a lot of sense,” Associate Professor Burke said.

“Whether it be shop-top apartments like the old days, or strategically located density, bringing in a greater mix of housing and creating an option for a slightly more inner-urban lifestyle makes sense.

“Cities as diverse as Hobart, Ballarat and Cairns have had success with similar strategies.”

The associate professor considers “the demand for quality public spaces and good public art never ceases” but says Dubbo does not need “one big monumental project to reinvigorate the city centre”.

“It’s usually better to have a good plan and work on 20 or 30 small projects over time, small space by small space,” he said, citing Melbourne with its laneways and the Sunshine Coast with its beachfronts as examples.

“Even New York has been using this strategy in recent years to good effect,” he said.

“Widening footpaths and building out into the street to create an outdoor cafe in just the right spot can do wonders and doesn’t always require great expense.” 

He said more was needed from other areas of government.

“For instance, the low level of investment in bus services in NSW regional towns and cities and the poor connectivity of the existing system don’t help,” he said.