Chinatown place making project

Location: Young and Davenport Streets, Southport

Design: City Place Making

Build/Installation: City of Gold Coast

Budget: $6.8 million

Completed: 2014

Awards: 2016 AILA QLD Landscape Architecture Award – Civic Landscape Gold Coast 2015 Urban Design Award – Urban Design Commendation

Young and Davenport Streets consist of a mix of commercial and retail businesses, including the western side of Australia Fair Shopping Centre. These streets are conveniently located within a five-minute walk to Southport Broadwater Parklands, Southport Magistrates Court, TAFE Gold Coast, Southport Library, an array of professional services plus a number of high-rise residential tower developments, and the nearest light rail station is just 100 metres away in nearby Nerang Street.

The completed works upgraded the entire public space, lifting its presentation and improving amenity.

Project details

Increased opportunities for outdoor dining such as widening footpaths
New footpaths
Public seating areas
Safer pedestrian/vehicle environment and a reduction in vehicle speed limit
New road surface and distinctive parking lane
New street trees and garden planting, with feature rock retaining walls around gardens
Improved lighting
Closed circuit television (CCTV)
Upgraded underground water and sewer infrastructure
Under-grounding of previous overhead power supply
Installation of a gas main in Young Street with provision for extension to serve Davenport Street enabled the establishment of new restaurants and cafés