NSW Government commits to delivering equal access to better public spaces at World Urban Parks Congress

The NSW Government has unveiled a commitment to delivering equal access to better public spaces, with the launch of the NSW Public Spaces Charter at the World Urban Parks Congress in Sydney today.

Advising that the Charter established a set of 10 unifying principles to underpin the creation and improvement of high-quality public spaces across the state, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes stated “as NSW’s first Minister for Public Spaces, it is our Government’s priority to provide equal access to public space and I encourage councils, industry and the community to sign up to the Charter to unify that commitment.

“The pandemic has emphasised the need for safe and welcoming public space, and the NSW Public Spaces Charter will set a design bar for achieving that.

“The Charter provides 10 principles for quality public space that have been designed to maximise the social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits that public space delivers.”

During 2022, signatories will be supported with advice on how to implement the NSW Public Spaces Charter into their organisation or practice. 

“The benefits of becoming a signatory include access to NSW Government one-on-one support, a community of practice, promotional opportunities and data sharing.”

The NSW Public Spaces Charter has been developed in close alignment with the United Nations Charter of Public Space which was developed in 2013 and formed a basis for the Global Public Space Toolkit. 

2021 World Urban Parks Congress
Being held as hybrid event in three cities - Sydney along with the San Pedro area of the metropolitan Monterrey in Mexico and the US city of Los Angeles - the 2021 World Urban Parks Congress is bringing together city and community leaders, park professionals, partners, affiliates, and engaged citizens under the shared goal of advancing parks through intentional successful strategies.

With the Congress running from 5th December to 10th December 2021, organisers advise “it has been a trying time for today’s park leaders as they face unprecedented challenges.

“Now, more than ever, parks must take the stage to demonstrate the relevant nature they serve to forge healthier and more resilient cities in, through, and out of the pandemic.”

The conference theme is ‘Creating a vision of the future from the legacy of the past’.

The NSW Government’s Department of Planning Industry and Environment will lead how Sydney is building and protecting a legacy of green, open, and public space for generations to come.

The Department’s Place, Design and Public Spaces Group - including The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Greater Sydney Parklands and Placemaking NSW - is today hosting the second main day of the Congress.

Advising of the NSW Government’s support for the Congress, Minister Stokes added “we're proud to welcome the world to Sydney as the co-host of the World Urban Parks Congress, and I look forward to the learning and sharing opportunities the event will bring.

“This is a great opportunity for park leaders to learn from each other as many parks are facing the same challenges across the globe. The 2021 World Congress will bring together professionals from all over the world to develop a new vision for the future.”

Click here to view the NSW Public Spaces Charter.

Click here for more information on the World Urban Parks Congress.

Images: The newly created Shane National Park in Western Sydney (top) and NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes (below).