Places and spaces

A pedestrian heart for Camberwell

How to transform a complex intersection to create high quality public space and improve traffic flow!
Summary article (2 MB)
Full article (7 MB)
Transport analysis (Martyn Group)

Assessment of proposals

A buildin​g may be an architectural masterpiece, but how well does it fit into its urban context?  Analysing the urban design aspects of a development proposal - whether warehouse,  suburban apartment building or a 70 storey mixed-use tower - will give you the answer.  

132 Church Street, Hawthorn (Appeal)

(To maintain client confidentiality, we do not publish most of our work in this area.)

'Places for people: central Melbourne 1994'

This study bench-marked the quality and use of public spaces in central Melbourne, using a methodology developed by Professor Jan Gehl.  Nathan Alexander lead the study team and wrote the report.    

The design of the Bourke Street Mall

Bourke Street Mall was the first dedicated pedestrian street in central Melbourne.  Nathan Alexander designed the 1994 iteration.  This article explains the design thinking for this space.

A short history of Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street Station is the hub of Melbourne's metropolitan passenger train system and an internationally recognised symbol of the city.  This short history explains why its where it is and how it developed.  Includes a chronology.

The best street in Adelaide?

What makes for a great residential street?  In this article Nathan Alexander chooses  an unknown street in Glenelg as the best in Adelaide.

The qualities of Hanging Rock

The visitor experience at Hanging Rock is unlike anywhere else; understanding why it is so is no picnic.  In this extract from his 1985 study, Nathan Alexander details the sixteen qualities that make the Rock so precious. 

Localities and regions

The evolution of metropolitan Adelaide

From Colonel Light's survey in 1837 Adelaide has evolved into one of the largest urban areas in the world.  Using words and maps, this paper traces the development of its infrastructure and urban form.  Based on Appendix 1 of  'A distinct advantage'.

'A distinct advantage'

Strategies to enhance the structure and character of metropolitan Adelaide.  Winner of the 2004 Australia Award for Urban Design, award for best strategy.  The world's first urban design strategy for an entire metropolis.  

Complete document (70 MB)
or
Chapter 1 - Introduction (5.7 MB)
Chapter 2 - Contemporary Adelaide, first part (4.8 MB)
Chapter 2 - Contemporary Adelaide, second part (8.1 MB)
Chapter 2 - Contemporary Adelaide, third part (5.9 MB)
Chapter 3 - Perceptions of contemporary Adelaide (5.4 MB)
Chapter 4 - Issues and strategies, first part (4.8 MB)
Chapter 4 - Issues and strategies, second part (8.8 MB)
Appendix 1 - Evolution of the structure and character (7.7 MB)
Appendices 2 & 3 - Perception of structure and character (0.2 MB)
Appendix 5 - Register of significant public places (0.9 MB)
Appendix 6 - References and bibliography (2.5 MB)

Ideas and issues

Valuing our significant public spaces

How about extending heritage protection to key public spaces?  What qualities does the community value and want enhanced?  In this article Nathan Alexander proposes a means to do so.

Metro, anyone?

Are metro rail lines the answer to transport in Australian cities?  Understand how they fit and what they're good for.

Neighbourhood character

A chatty piece on why local government can and should determine a desired character for all neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood character - mono- or multi- cultural?

A paper by Nathan Alexander and Paul Stark presenting some key concepts and explaining how to prepare a neighbourhood character strategy.

Six qualities to assess urban form

In this short paper Nathan Alexander proposes six qualities to use to assess any urban environment,at any scale from a building to an entire urban region.  It adapts qualities proposed in Responsive Environments.

Ingredients for a liveable city

A list of ingredients to make a more liveable locality, or to assess one.

Energy efficient urban form

The keys to creating energy efficient urban form may not be what you think.  This summary of Nathan Alexander's  master's thesis explains what they are.