The Griffins’ 1912 inspirational vision of Canberra’s city centre lay the foundations of today’s precinct known as ‘Civic’ which includes the key public spaces of City Walk and Garema Place. A once-bustling street open to traffic, the ‘Walk’ was created in 1971 when a section of Alinga Street was pedestrianised. Today, City Walk is a 400-metre pedestrian space, lined with shops, cafes, bars and businesses.

In 2019, the Authority asked the community and stakeholders about they wanted for Civic’s public spaces. As part of this consultation, it became clear their clear preference was for City Walk to be a more attractive destination to spend time in, rather than just a way to get from A to B. This feedback, combined with retail and movement studies, and reports and research conducted by ACT Government on numerous initiatives in the Civic area over the past decade are all being used to create a place plan for City Walk, Garema Place, Ainslie Avenue and Petrie Plaza.

In 2020, the ACT Government committed to upgrade and revitalise City Walk, making it a more attractive, accessible and welcoming space for people to use, relax and connect.

From late July 2020 the City Renewal Authority began construction on major landscape improvements to the section of City Walk between Garema Place and Ainslie Place. Designed by renowned landscape architectural practice, T.C.L and undertaken by First Nations construction company, Rork Projects, the upgrade has brought new life to an underused part of our city centre, reinvigorating the heart and soul of Civic.

Find out more about the City Walk upgrades here.

Selected CBD festival programs have been made possible with support from the ACT Government and the City Renewal Authority.