Public Walkway Planning

The importance of well-designed public walkways and pedestrian access networks in communities, neighbourhoods, towns and cities cannot be overstated. 

As populations continue to grow and evolve, the need for thoughtful, accessible and safe pedestrian infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. 

Each year, we work with councils, property developers and architects to design, engineer and install pedestrian walkways and public access structures in urban environments.

Our expert proprietary methodology at Fleetwood Urban is called VISIONMAKERS™, developed over 50 years of experience delivering award-winning projects across Australia. We are more than just a supplier or project manager; we’re a team of highly skilled experts who bring seamless capability to every stage of every project, from concept to completion.

By engaging us early in your project, our VISIONMAKERS™ methodology enables us to collaborate closely with your design team to help bring their concepts and visions to life, mitigating the risk of overspending or compromise.

Our builders think like designers, and our designers think like builders – by co-designing with our people, who also build your structures, this VISIONMAKERS™ approach means less waste and inefficiency, more accurate costings and a better end result.

Our end-to-end service includes engineering design, shop detailing, project management, manufacture (all done within Australia), off-site pre-assembly, installation and, finally, maintenance to help you maximum the design life of your structure.

Connectivity and Accessibility

One of the primary goals in planning pedestrian infrastructure is to create a seamless network of walkways that connect key destinations within the project area and beyond.

This involves careful consideration of how pedestrian paths interact with other modes of transportation, such as cycling routes, public transit stops and vehicular traffic.

Accessibility is paramount; all walkways should comply with relevant accessibility standards and guidelines, ensuring people with mobility impairments can navigate the space comfortably and safely. This includes providing appropriate ramp gradients, tactile paving for the visually impaired and adequate width for wheelchair users.

Our design process considers how pedestrian routes connect to the broader urban fabric. Are there logical and intuitive paths to nearby amenities, residential areas or commercial zones? The goal should be to create a cohesive pedestrian network that extends beyond the boundaries of the immediate project.

The Placemaking of Pedestrian Walkways

Placemaking is about creating spaces where people want to spend time.

This might involve designing wider sidewalks to accommodate outdoor seating for cafes, creating small pocket parks along pedestrian routes or incorporating interactive elements that engage passers-by. 

Community ownership can be cultivated through engaging with the community throughout the planning and design process. This participatory approach can also give valuable insights, help identify potential issues or opportunities that might have been overlooked and lead to more successful, well-used pedestrian spaces.

Our custom pedestrian walkway designs are built with a long-term approach, which means we design pedestrian infrastructure with ongoing flexibility in mind. For instance, could a wide promenade be occasionally used for community events or markets? How might the integration of smart city technologies affect pedestrian movement and interaction with the space? How might future changes in land use or new construction projects impact pedestrian flow? 

Designing with adaptability in mind can help ‘future proof’ your pedestrian infrastructure, ensuring it remains relevant for many years to come.