NICHOLAS STREET PRECINCT PLACEMAKING AND ACTIVATION PLAN


The Nicholas Street Precinct is part of Ipswich Council’s $260 million CBD revitalisation project. Catherine was involved in the early visioning with Vee Design and then at Hatch RobertsDay, was asked to deliver a comprehensive and detailed place activation plan which looked at the aspirations of the key usergroups, residents and Council for this space and to deliver a place activation plan that was economically, socially, commercially and culturally sound.

You can download the plan here: Nicholas Street Place Activation Plan

An extensive demographic and usergroup analysis and associated cultural mapping was undertaken for this project which looked in granular detail at how different people would use the space. We recommended looking at broadening the scope to understanding how to make the centre a teen and child friendly place and opening this special place up both day and night. This led to a strategy that prioritised day to night use and informed the activations and place strategies that were put forward for this project.

The objectives of the project were:

• PLACE VISION AND VALUE: Deliver a Place Value Proposition and associated Place Vision to guide future decision making with an economic, commercial and place based lens.

• ENGAGEMENT: A comprehensive engagement process that includes internal and business stakeholder input;

• INFORMED ACTIVATION: To create an Activation Framework underpinned by the place vision that aligns with strategic objectives and the City Wide Events Program;

• ECONOMIC DRIVERS: To drive economic outcomes and contribute new energy to the Nicholas Street Precinct through commercial understanding and internal and external spatial curation recommendations;

• LONG TERM GOVERNANCE PLAN: To create a precinct plan and long-term governance plan including key roles and responsibilities, key actions, partners, budgets and timeframes;

• STRENGTH IN PLACE IDENTITY: To capitalise on the assets, inspiration and attributes of the Nicholas Street Precinct both in terms of the physical and non-physical, to deliver a suite of activations, plans and documents which will support a strong sense of place and vibrancy.

Sites

Nicholas Street Precinct, Ipswich

When

2020

Team

Catherine Simpson whilst working at Hatch RobertsDay, Craig Christensen, Angela Koepp, Alexander Remmelt and at Ipswich City Council: Erin Marchant, Jo Jordan and the excellent economics, events and heritage teams