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Part I: Urban Design Guidelines for All Subdivision and Development in the District


6 Roading and Pedestrian Access


6.1 Connected Roads

A connected network of roads, lanes, and footpaths (rather than unconnected cul-de-sacs) improves accessibility for residents, allows for safer and more efficient movement of people and vehicles, and enables more efficient provision of infrastructure.


While subdivision applications are often submitted on a site by site basis, developers must consider the possible future connections to ensure the neighbourhood and future developments are integrated and accessible. This includes providing roads, footpaths, cycleways, open space linkages and community facilities.


Developers should consider the following design elements:

  • Provide a road layout (including cycleways and footpaths) with as many links to adjacent sites and surrounding roads as possible This results in a choice of routes and transport modes and forms a highly interconnected road pattern. Collaboration with adjacent landowners is important.
  • Design a road, cycleway, and footpath pattern that allows direct access to and from bus stops, shops, schools, employment, parks and other amenities, based on how people will logically seek to move through a space, from one activity to another.
  • Connected roads forming urban blocks are generally better than a pattern of many cul-de-sacs with few through roads.
  • Cul-de-sacs may be appropriate in specific circumstances.
  • Pedestrian and cycle links should be provided from the end of the cul-de-sac to any adjacent public space.
  • Intersections should be designed to reduce safety risks to all types of users.