Project gestation and construction can take months or years, and projects must be appropriately staged to manage value. Corridor reservation, and the ‘meanwhile’ use of corridors to support place, (and ‘meanwhile’ transport services along corridors, such as pre-metro bus rapid transit) are some examples. Delivering place benefits early in a project can add value, offsetting construction impact on business and showing goodwill to the community via ‘best public purpose’ use of surplus land and redundant infrastructure. Staging can incorporate project efficiencies (such as establishing tree nurseries) as well as long-term place benefits such as coordinating ‘off-line’ work sites with land required for future schools or hospitals.

Processes like design quality frameworks or design review can ensure that design and place benefits are not eroded over time, to ensuring that projects live up to initial expectations.

Key questions

1. Does the design of the street or road enhance the place? Does the design support greater amenity, arrest any decline, and offer the potential to sustain future local communities?
2. Is the street capacity fit for the future growth (if desired) and character of the place, particularly the desired density?
3. How are corridors reserved? What “meanwhile” uses or services are proposed to establish desired character or travel patterns? How is induced demand avoided?
4. Does the project demonstrate “good faith” by delivering place benefits early and minimising impacts of construction? (e.g. footpaths maintained during construction, CTMP maintains direct desire lines)

Performance indicators

Amenity and Use Public space Local living Economic development and regeneration Local jobs