Reconfiguring Sydney Streets: Copenhagen Case Studies and Sydney Adaptations

Reconfiguring Sydney Streets: Copenhagen case studies and Sydney adaptations is the work of visionary urban designer Mike Harris.Using case studies from his extensive research in Denmark, Harris demonstrates how Copenhagen transformed itself from a city of traffic jams to a city of people. Drawing on the Danish design principles that continue to guide their construction of safe bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, Harris adapts their models to the Australian urban setting.At a time when the state governments in NSW and Victoria are spending billions on expressways that divide neighbourhoods and pour more and more cars into already choked cities, Reconfiguring Sydney Streets takes a highly practical and cost-effective look at an alternative approach.Reconfiguring Sydney Streets presents a sample range of typical profiles of streets in Copenhagen and Sydney. With technical expertise, Harris demonstrates how each of the selected Sydney streets could be reconfigured with minimal disruption and cost so that much safer operating space can be provided for the people of all ages who want to travel on foot or by bicycle - journeys which could readily link with public transport. The amenity of the neighbourhood is further improved through street plantings, ease of access and the reduction in motor vehicle speeds. While our cities and our climate are adversely impacted by over-reliance on cars, more and more people are choosing to walk or go by bicycle as a convenient, healthy, cheap and non-polluting way to get around. And it's fun too!Reconfiguring Sydney Streets is a timely study. Its vision and its fund of technical information are invaluable for transport engineers and planners seeking effective strategies to improve access, connectivity and safety for bicycle riders and pedestrians.