Collaborative city liveability study using Gehl methodology : pedestrian and bicycle counts and stationary activity survey in Penrith

Jan Gehl is the most prominent urban planner when it comes to devising design-based, practical prescriptions to enhance the liveability of cities. His thoughts have largely been applied in studying and transforming large, city-central business districts (CBDs). The inspiration for improvement in suburbs and smaller cities has come mostly from New Urbanism. This paper presents findings from (perhaps the first) application of the Jan Gehl method for study of a small suburban CBD location. Penrith Central Business District is one of the regional cities of New South Wales that has been selected for substantial growth in the near future. This paper discusses the data collected and the observations recorded during a study of public spaces in Penrith CBD by a group of University of Western Sydney planning students using techniques employed by Jan Gehl in his Public Spaces and Public Life studies. The purpose of the study is to identify the number of pedestrians at specific locations and times, examine the amount and type of cyclists, recognise the behaviour and decisions of pedestrians using the urban space, and document the pedestrian life of the city. This paper presents the findings of the survey, as well as analysing the suitability and adaptability of the Gehl methodology for small cities. It also highlights the relevance of this study for management of other suburban cities.