Street Level Australia

Street Level Australia is a grassroots organisation dedicated to enhancing the beauty, quality, and longevity of the built environment in Australian towns and cities. It champions a localist approach to urban planning and architecture, emphasising the importance of community involvement in shaping neighbourhoods that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The organisation seeks to counteract the blandness and soullessness often found in modern developments by promoting designs that respect traditional principles and human scale.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Street Level Australia is to increase the proportion of new buildings and developments that are not only durable—lasting hundreds or thousands of years—but also improve with age. It aims to ensure these developments are beautiful and aligned with the preferences of local communities. The vision includes implementing traditional town planning approaches in major Australian cities and towns, with a goal to create at least three places featuring traditional masterplans by 2025. This reflects a commitment to restoring architectural wisdom from the past to foster sustainable, human-centred urban environments.

Main Objectives

• Promote traditional architecture and urbanism that prioritises beauty, resilience, and community values.
• Advocate for gentle density to improve home availability and affordability without sacrificing quality or aesthetics.
• Encourage the development of human-scale public spaces that support walkability, safety, and mixed-use neighbourhoods.
• Transform suburban areas to better support human flourishing through thoughtful design and planning.

Benefiting Groups

The organisation primarily benefits local communities who desire more say in how their neighbourhoods evolve. It also supports urban planners, designers, builders, and craftspeople who are committed to traditional building arts and sustainable development. By fostering collaboration among these groups, Street Level Australia helps create environments that reflect the needs and aspirations of residents.

Services and Activities

• Organising local chapters to empower community members and professionals to advocate for better urban design.
• Hosting competitions such as the Sydney Is Beautiful architecture and urbanism competition to celebrate and promote beautiful, enduring buildings.
• Providing educational resources and inspiration on traditional architectural styles and planning principles.
• Engaging in advocacy to influence planning policies towards more human-centred, resilient developments.
• Encouraging participation through volunteering and donations to support their initiatives.