Planning for strong, positive and activated night time economies has become a highly topical issue across communities and town centres in Australia.
Urbis’ social planners worked in collaboration with Penrith City Council to undertake a study into the night time economy of Penrith City Centre.
The study took an asset-focused, place-based approach – building off existing strengths in the areas to develop a local, shared vision. The research links place capital, community aspirations and a strategic vision with pragmatic and appropriate planning interventions.
The research then informed a strategy to establish a vision and future for the area, enhancing its evening cultural life.
This project received a commendation at the NSW PIA Awards 2016 in the public engagement and community planning category. The judges were impressed by the use of a bottom-up strategy to create a commendable breadth of strategies for an appropriate night time economy.
The study and strategy are available online here.
“The research informed a strategy to establish a vision and future for the area, enhancing its evening cultural life.