Urban design
Our design strategies support high-quality development that complements Brisbane’s character and lifestyle.
About urban design in Brisbane
Council supports the design of new buildings, places and spaces that fit our city’s subtropical, outdoor lifestyle.
Our design strategies and guidelines help to ensure that new development considers local climate, biodiversity and landscape. We encourage building attractive, accessible, adaptable and comfortable spaces.
These urban design values apply to all aspects of the built environment, including:
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buildings
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shared spaces, such as parks
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suburbs and neighbourhoods.
Design-led city
Design-led City – A design strategy for Brisbane sets the framework for a citywide approach for design that reflects Brisbane’s character, identity and climate.
It supports our vision for becoming a well-designed subtropical city.
The strategy:
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outlines a set of design values that can apply to all elements of the built environment
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includes key actions for improving design processes for procurement, planning, construction, maintenance and capital investment programs across Brisbane.
Download the strategy for more information.
Improving our shared spaces
We’re creating vibrant neighbourhood centres across Brisbane that reflect local culture and character.
By funding upgrades and projects that benefit suburban precincts, we’re helping to create new opportunities for residents and businesses.
Better Suburbs – Places and Spaces
Better Suburbs – Places and Spaces (BSPS) is our plan for creating a city of thriving, well-designed neighbourhoods.
The BSPS program delivers upgrades to public spaces and neighbourhood places.
Previously known as Village Precinct Projects, these improvements contribute to the commercial vitality of a neighbourhood centre by creating:
- neighbourhoods that are inclusive places for everyone
- distinctive local places to connect with and belong to
- greener neighbourhoods with well-designed public spaces, capitalising on Brisbane's subtropical climate and existing assets
- connected, safe and comfortable neighbourhoods for everyone to access and enjoy.
BSPS projects deliver a range of improvements including new:
- garden beds and tree planting
- integrated placemaking such as public art, creative lighting, murals and wayfaring markers
- adaptable multi-use spaces to support community gathering
- quality public open space that acknowledges local culture and history
- footpath and kerb ramp crossing upgrades to improve walkability and accessibility
- seat and street furniture upgrades.
Opportunities and improvements will vary for each site. This will depend on community values and interests, project budget and the site constraints of the project area.
Current projects
We’re revitalising the neighbourhood precinct at the corner of Ryans Road and Robinson Road, Nundah. Find out more:
Upcoming projects
Future BSPS locations include:
- Lambert Road, Indooroopilly
- Ainsworth Street, Salisbury.
Buildings that breathe
New World City Design Guide - Buildings that Breathe is a user-friendly guide for achieving subtropical building design.
It illustrates ideas for meeting key design elements such as orientation, illuminating with daylight, incorporating natural ventilation and harnessing shade.
Architects, planners and developers can see the ideas in action in case studies and use checklists to design attractive, comfortable and sustainable buildings.
The non-statutory guide showcases the highest standards of design and construction.
Download the guides for more information or view the Subtropical building design planning scheme policy.
Sustainable and energy-efficient buildings
We encourage the design of greener and more energy efficient buildings across Brisbane. These developments have positive impacts on the environment, the economy and the health and wellbeing of our community.
Brisbane Green Factor
The Brisbane Green Factor is a green infrastructure ratings tool for development specialists.
The tool measures all forms of greening on a development site and helps to deliver increased vegetation within the city’s development. The tool is voluntary and applicants are encouraged to submit a Brisbane Green Factor score with their development application.
Residential design
Design-led City – Low-to-medium density residential Design Guide outlines the design outcomes and approach that architects, planners and developers should consider when designing homes to reflect community expectations.
It provides a best-practice reference to inform the design of low-to-medium density residential development, such as townhouses and apartment buildings up to 5 storeys.
The guide:
- supports the preparation of plans, drawings and design statements that may accompany a development application
- helps the community, including potential buyers, to identify quality housing design
- encourages innovation and diversity of housing in Brisbane neighbourhoods.
Download the guide for more information.
Heritage and character design
Brisbane is known for its unique heritage and character homes. These are protected to preserve our local history and their cultural and architectural significance.
Before planning alterations, understand the development guidelines for heritage and character homes.
Design advisory
Reviewing a design at key stages of development is a fundamental part of the design process. It helps identify potential issues and allows for testing of ideas. This continual refinement and enhancement ensure that the final design outcomes are of the highest quality.
Independent Design Advisory Panel (IDAP)
The Independent Design Advisory Panel (IDAP) advises Council on best practice outcomes for a range of current development applications, key pieces of infrastructure and policy.
Panel members draw on real world experience, current industry best practice and their knowledge of alternative development models from other localities.
The panel is independent from Council and does not make decisions. Council is responsible for determining the outcomes of development applications and how Council policy is shaped.
Council's Design Brisbane team is the direct point of contact with IDAP and helps to manage the day-to-day processes and operation of the panel. The City Planning and Design Manager acts as Chair of the panel meetings.
IDAP also plays a key role in the DesignSMART prelodgement service offered by Council. The panel gives advice aimed at delivering development that aligns with the New World City Design Guide - Buildings that Breathe.
- Chair: Martin Reason – General Manager, City Planning and Design
- Jeff Brown AIA – Principal, Rothelowman Architects
- Cathryn Chatburn AILA – Director, Urban Enquiry
- Natasha Chee – Development Director, Queensland Government Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
- Dr James Davidson – Architect, Climate Resilient Design, JDA
- John Gaskell – Director, Gaskell Planning Consultants
- Andrew Green – Managing Director, WILD Studio
- Andrew Gutteridge AIA – Principal and Owner, Arkhefield
- Melissa Hughes – Heritage Architect, Wilson Architects
- Natalie Hoitz – Group Director of Design, Urbis
- Dr Anne Kovachevich – Sustainable Buildings and Precincts Lead, Mott MacDonald
- Bevan Lynch FAIA – Urban Futures Brisbane advisory Panel member
- Ben Lyons – Director, Urbis
- Karen Ognibene – Architect Ko and Co
- Stephen Pate FAILA – Director and Landscape Architect, CUSP
- Peter Richards FAIA – Principal of Architecture & Urban Design, Archipelago
- Janice Rieger – Associate Professor, School of Architecture & Built Environment, QUT
- Deb Robbins AILA – Studio Director, Taylor Cullity Lethlean
- Noel Robinson LFAIA – CEO, Noel Robinson Architects
- Kirsti Simpson – Studio Chair, Wood Bagot
- Caroline Stalker FAIA - Principal, Pilot Places
- Shy Tay AIA – Urban Design Market Leader Queensland, Arup
- David Uhlmann FAILA – Biodiversity Practice Lead, Queensland, NGH
- Stuart Vokes FAIA – Owner and Architect, Vokes and Peters
- Nathalie Ward FAILA – Director, LatStudios
- Simon White – Owner, DVLP
- Brooke Williams – Founder and Director, Fourfold Studio
