Taking it to the streets

On the streets in cities across the globe, residents are working with governments to jointly shape their streets in efforts to regenerate their cities.

Streets are the corridors and open spaces in growing cities where density and apartment living is increasing. Streets are viewed as a place to provide connection. 

They are thoroughfares of our lives and have the opportunity to reflect the uniqueness of those who live on them and provide for their needs. Streets can help meet the increased demand for amenities, gardens, green spaces, biodiversity, and food security. 

There are growing examples of how collaboration between citizens, governments and business are shaping streets. 

Professor Dan Hill, at Melbourne School of Design, is shifting the system in Sweden’s streets, with a goal to ensure that every street in Sweden is healthy, sustainable, and full of life by 2030. 

Urban Rewilding and Transition Streets groups globally have been encouraging people to join together and make streets more sustainable. 

In a pioneering move, local neighbours in Kensington, working with Regen Melbourne are creating a joint vision to collaborate with City of Melbourne for Eastwood St.

Cities understand that they need to transform to ensure they meet and adapt to the future demands of the wider environment, the wellbeing of the people who inhabit them and the non-human occupants. 

Melbourne, even though voted most livable city for years and despite its many strengths, is facing multiple social and environmental challenges – the impact of the damage to our environment with resulting heat, COVID impacts, the inequality that is increasing, the homelessness, mental anguish, loneliness, food and job insecurity. 

These are the result of the various systems that we have set up. With mounting research evidencing that these systems are failing/outdated/no longer appropriate and do not serve the majority of life forms.

Systems change is required, new metrics and measurements need to be determined by all of us. Regeneration is a word we are hearing more and more as we turn to the task of how do we repair and mend the various ailments of our planet and our people. 

Humanity is always finding better ways to do things as we adapt to the changes resulting from our behaviour. What is in our control and what is not in our control are questions we can ask ourselves when pondering how to regenerate. 

Collaboration is key – Regen Melbourne is driving the move to bring together individuals, various government, academics, and scientists to start asking the questions of the how. Much thinking, money and time has already been spent in analysing and identifying the why.

On its website Regen Melbourne states “we need radically ambitious and tangible projects that chart a collective course to a regenerative and resilient future.”

If you are inspired to create a vision for your street contact Regen Melbourne [email protected] •