Perth’s CBD: Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds explains grand plans to reinvent city centre as a top place to live

Perth’s city centre must evolve from a place where people simply work and shop into a place they live, dine and socialise if it is to remain vibrant in the decades ahead, says Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds. The City of Perth recently approved the landmark long-term Shaping Perth City Centre: Towards 2036 and Beyond framework, developed with internationally renowned urban design firm Gehl, which aims to transform the CBD into a more liveable, people-focused destination. The framework includes proposals to strengthen connections between the city and the Swan River, expand tree canopy cover, improve cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, create new “living streets” in residential areas and embed Whadjuk Nyoongar culture throughout the built environment. The framework also identifies the potential for future light rail along Wellington Street and St Georges Terrace and explores long-term options such as a cable car connection between the city and Kaarta Gar-up (Kings Park). The plans acknowledge that Perth’s traditional CBD model is no longer enough, with the framework aiming to prepare for a growing population by encouraging residential growth, improving public spaces and creating a city that is active beyond business hours. “We as a city can’t thrive if everyone leaves at 5 o’clock,” Mr Reynolds told The West Australian. “People leave at 5 o’clock because there isn’t anything for them to do in there.” He said Perth can no longer compete with suburban shopping centres on retail alone, with huge plans to reimagine the Hay and Murray street malls. “The malls are old tech,” Mr Reynolds said. “They were built 100 years ago when it was a shopping precinct.” Under the framework, Murray Street Mall would remain Perth’s primary retail destination, while Hay Street Mall would evolve into a dining, hospitality and entertainment precinct focused on independent operators and evening activity. A key element of the framework is to dramatically increase the number of people living in the city centre. “More people living in the city means more life, more safety and more activity,” Mr Reynolds said. Mr Reynolds said the project was about more than just buildings and infrastructure. “The study or the plan isn’t about buildings, it’s about planning for people,” he said. “It’s not just for the residents of the City of Perth. This is a vision for the whole of WA.” Gehl managing director Henriette Vamberg said Perth’s greatest opportunity was unlocking more residential development in the CBD. “There’s something around the residential component and how to unlock more residential development in the city centre,” she said. Ms Vamberg said cities globally were grappling with housing affordability, climate change and changing patterns of work and movement. “Some of the primary challenges are definitely around climate and around adapting the cities to more heat and less water,” she said. “The affordability housing shortage, but also affordable living in the cities.” Ms Vamberg described Perth city as having many unique points, particularly the Swan River which was a “beautiful asset” that should be explored over the years to come. Part of her vision for the city by 2036 include less incidents of people feeling unsafe and abused on the street. “This about having a a more friendly, inviting city,” she said. Mr Reynolds said planning now was essential as Perth continued to grow. “Perth is changing whether we like it or not. The study is making sure we shape the change rather than reacting to it,” he said. “The worst thing that a city can do is to stop planning for the future.” The Shaping Perth City Centre: Towards 2036 and Beyond framework can be accessed online.