We enjoy checking out some of the PIA SA award winning projects each year. The South Australian Walking Strategy 2022-2032 prepared by Wellbeing SA and the Heart Foundation was a recent award winner.
Simple statistics are often powerful. The Walking Strategy quotes the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide which states:
“…cities around the world with successful public transport networks have an average population density of at least 3,000 people per km2… The Density required to support a viable transport network can be achieved in metropolitan Adelaide by promoting a more compact urban form…”.
Metropolitan Adelaide currently has an average population density of fewer than 1,400 people per square km. Debate then turns to whether to invest heavily in public transport first or increase housing density first.
What is clear is that we have a long way to go in terms of increasing housing density before we can make the most of our public transport network. This will, in turn, encourage more walking and help to tackle climate change so that everyone’s wellbeing is improved.
