Victorian Urban Design Charter

The much awaited Urban Design Charter was recently launched by Planning Minister, Justin Madden. The Charter commits the State Government and other signatories to making Victoria’s cities and towns more liveable through good urban design. It has been developed over a number of years by the Department of Planning and Community Development’s Urban Design Unit, in consultation with the Victorian Government Architect’s Office and with input from a number of other government and industry stakeholders.

The Charter is presented as a very readable AO poster, and promotes the 12 key aspects of good urban design: structure, accessibility, legibility, animation, fit and function, complementary mixed uses, sense of place, consistency and variety, continuity and change, safety, sensory pleasure and inclusiveness. The expectation is that when these principles are collectively present, the certainty of creating well used, valued, memorable places is assured. The Charter is being distributed to Local Governments, Government agencies and departments, and all other built environment industry stakeholders. Email your name and address to urbandesigncharter@dpcd.vic.gov.au to receive a copy.