Are more efficient outdoor structures the key to unlocking truly walkable communities?

Dreams are free. Unfortunately, achieving them can be a very different story. Which brings us to the resurgence of interest in ‘walkable communities’—people-centric neighbourhoods with all the infrastructure, amenity and green spaces residents need to stay and safely enjoy their own backyard, rather than travel further afield (typically by car).

The arguments for creating more walkable, activated and connected communities—sometimes referred to as ’15-minute’ communities—are well documented, from improvements in personal health and safety outcomes, to enhanced social cohesiveness and economic stimulation, to reductions in traffic congestion and even the urban heat island effect. So why aren’t we seeing more of them in Australia?

Simple concept. Complex reality.

FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban) has been championing better connected communities for more than 50 years. Something we’ve learned first-hand is that delivering the linked network of outdoor structures necessary to achieve vibrant and truly walkable communities—think pedestrian bridges, boardwalks, cycleways, shade shelters, playgrounds and other public amenities— can be far from a simple process. Nor is it inexpensive. At a time when resources are tight, risk aversion is high and public scrutiny even higher, finding efficient solutions has never been more critical.

Visions can get lost in translation.

Even the very best of intentions can quickly break down when a project’s vision gets overlayed with the real-world demands required to make it actually happen, especially after factoring in rigid variables like budgets and schedules, site and infrastructure challenges, topographic barriers and the preservation of natural habitats. The result is typically compromise where the desired outcome is watered down, sometimes significantly, leaving it almost unrecognisable from the original ‘dream’. What was intended to be a seamlessly connected walkable community can ultimately be left with infrastructure gaps that reduce accessibility, functionality and safety. The dream is diminished. The opportunity, unfulfilled.

A more flexible alternative already exists.

It isn’t all doom and gloom, mind you, because in our experience the above scenario doesn’t have to be the case. Through deep and early collaboration, you may be surprised just how many excellent Access, Shade and Play solutions are now available that won’t require you to make significant amounts of compromise, if any. Using versatile and highly efficient base systems, there’s an abundance of cost-effective ways to help deliver on your complete vision. Not merely part of it.

FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban) has worked tirelessly over many years to develop an extensive range of high-quality access and amenity systems for precisely this reason. Single and multi-span pedestrian bridges. Elevated walkways and ground-level boardwalks. Viewing decks, shade shelters and more. Rather than incurring the high added expense of designing these structures from scratch, each proprietary system is fully customisable and endlessly scalable. This offers you the perfect combination of proven engineering with the flexibility to make modifications to match your specific site, creative and budget requirements. Visions that may have seemed out of reach are suddenly back on the table.

Just one example is our BALMORAL girder bridge and boardwalk system, which we’ve featured across many client projects over the years. An elegant and cost-effective Access solution, it can be adapted for clear spans of anywhere between 6-24 metres with widths of 2-4 metres. An extensive range of design and materiality options are also available including modifications for flood loading, balustrades, decking types, creative embellishments and protective coatings. We offer numerous other systems which offer similar levels of versatility and creativity too.

Turning dreams into reality.

Whilst it’s essential to dream big when it comes to walkable communities, it’s also imperative to view that dream through a real-world lens by asking, “How can we actually achieve it?” If you’re looking to maximise community connection through smarter and more cost-effective solutions, there’s no substitute for the experience of a partner like FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban).