Closing Streets in Brisbane for Business Benefits
· wellness
How Closing Streets to Cars Might Be Good for Brisbane Businesses
Gil Penalosa, founder of 8 80 Cities, has been advocating in Brisbane this week for closing streets to cars and embracing people-focused urban spaces. As a keynoter at the Transport Professionals Association national conference, Penalosa brings experience from his role as Bogota’s parks and recreation commissioner in the 1990s, where he championed Ciclovia, a movement that closed city streets to traffic between 7am and 2pm every Sunday, giving pedestrians and cyclists free rein.
Ciclovia has had remarkable success. Cities like Guadalajara, Mexico, and San Francisco have seen businesses thrive along designated bike routes, even furniture stores offering free restrooms to visitors. Beyond economic benefits, Penalosa’s passion for Ciclovia stems from its potential to bring people together by creating spaces where different communities can connect on an equal footing.
Brisbane has been slow to adopt this approach. While Albert Street in the CBD has recently been converted into a pedestrian boulevard, much work remains to be done. Penalosa’s call for a shared vision and action is timely, especially given the looming 2032 Olympics. By embracing people-focused urban spaces, Brisbane can create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the Games themselves.
Brisbane needs to decide what kind of city it wants to be: one that prioritizes motorists or pedestrians and cyclists. The answer will determine not just our Olympic legacy but also the quality of life for generations to come. As Penalosa reminds us, every project contributes towards a shared goal – but vision without action is frustrating, while action without vision creates projects that ultimately fail.
Penalosa’s message to Brisbane is clear: it’s time to decide what kind of city we want to be. The decision will not be about grand stadiums or infrastructure projects but about the small, everyday decisions we make about how we design our cities. As Penalosa himself said, “It would have been better if you had lost money and done something about it.” Let us hope that Brisbane will take this wisdom to heart and embark on a path of transformation, one that prioritizes people over cars and creates a city fit for the 21st century.
Reader Views
- TCThe Calm Desk · editorial
While Gil Penalosa's vision for people-focused urban spaces is inspiring, we should be cautious not to dismiss the concerns of local businesses that rely on car access. A blanket closure of streets might inadvertently push trade to suburban areas or online retailers, exacerbating existing issues with small business viability in the city. Brisbane needs a nuanced approach that balances Penalosa's ideals with pragmatic considerations for local stakeholders and economic realities.
- ANAlex N. · habit coach
While Gil Penalosa's Ciclovia initiative has been successful in other cities, its adoption in Brisbane will require more than just closing streets to cars. The city needs to also consider how to manage increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic, including designated pick-up and drop-off areas for buses and ride-sharing services, as well as adequate waste management facilities. By neglecting these details, Brisbane risks transforming its CBD into a cluttered and inconvenient space, rather than the vibrant public realm that Penalosa envisions.
- DMDr. Maya O. · behavioral researcher
While Gil Penalosa's push for people-focused urban spaces is certainly timely and inspiring, we must also consider the practical implications of closing streets in Brisbane. How will businesses adapt to reduced foot traffic, particularly in areas that rely heavily on tourist trade? Will they be able to benefit from increased pedestrian activity without sacrificing revenue? These are crucial questions that must be addressed before Brisbane adopts a city-wide vision for car-free spaces.