Hobart Design Guidelines

What if every building and space in our city was designed to feel welcoming, connected and uniquely Hobart?

The Hobart Design Guidelines are a new handbook created by the City of Hobart to help designers, developers and the community with design for buildings, streets and public spaces across Hobart. Take this survey to give your feedback on them.

They're based on community ideas and proven design best practice. They aim to make sure the way we build reflects what makes Hobart special – our connection to nature, history, culture, local businesses and each other - as our city grows and evolves in the future.

The Guidelines don't introduce any legal requirements – they're simply encourage good design outcomes across both public and private development.

We're sharing the draft now to hear what you think!

Your feedback will help us finalise the guidelines and make sure they reflect what really matters to our community.

What is urban design and why does it matter?

Urban design is all about shaping the spaces we live, work and spend time in – like streets, parks, buildings and public places.

Good urban design matters because Hobart is growing and changing. We need to make smart and sustainable choices so our city remains a great place to live, work and enjoy while tackling the big challenges like:

  • Not enough housing options, especially ones located close to jobs and services

  • The need for more jobs and creative spaces to support future industries

  • Limited greenery and open space in the city

  • A constrained road network that doesn't always work well for everyone

  • The impacts of climate change, such as increasing floods and bushfires

  • Narrow streets that need to feel welcoming, safe and accessible

Designing our city well helps us face these challenges in creative, thoughtful ways and build a future Hobart we can all be proud of.

How to have your say?

You can share your thoughts on the draft Hobart Design Guidelines from Tuesday 6 May to Tuesday 10 June 2025.

Here's how:

1. Take the online survey

Share your thoughts about design in Hobart and what matters most to you using the survey link below.

2. Come to our public forum at Shambles Brewery

Join us for a relaxed conversation about the future of design in Hobart. Hear from industry leaders such as planners, architects, developers and other people who shape our city.

The event will take place on the evening of Wednesday 21 May.

Free tickets can be reserved here.

3. Visit our pop-up at Mathers Lane

Drop by to chat with the City's engagement team and share your thoughts in person. We'll be hanging out in Mathers Lane on Sunday 11 May 2025, from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

4. Share your favourite places in the city

Add photos and comments about your favourite places to hang out in Hobart on the interactive map below. It could be a street, building or open space. We want to hear what you think makes spaces great 😊

5. Stay in the loop

Want updates about this project? Send us an email at communityengagement@hobartcity.com.au to join our urban design mailing list.

Accessibility

The City of Hobart is committed to building inclusive, strong and healthy communities through the celebration of diversity and participation in community life by making services, programs and facilities accessible for people of all ages and abilities. This includes our community engagement processes.

Please call our Community Engagement Team on 0458 249 660 if you would like to speak about ways to make this project more suitable to your accessibility requirements.

What if every building and space in our city was designed to feel welcoming, connected and uniquely Hobart?

The Hobart Design Guidelines are a new handbook created by the City of Hobart to help designers, developers and the community with design for buildings, streets and public spaces across Hobart. Take this survey to give your feedback on them.

They're based on community ideas and proven design best practice. They aim to make sure the way we build reflects what makes Hobart special – our connection to nature, history, culture, local businesses and each other - as our city grows and evolves in the future.

The Guidelines don't introduce any legal requirements – they're simply encourage good design outcomes across both public and private development.

We're sharing the draft now to hear what you think!

Your feedback will help us finalise the guidelines and make sure they reflect what really matters to our community.

What is urban design and why does it matter?

Urban design is all about shaping the spaces we live, work and spend time in – like streets, parks, buildings and public places.

Good urban design matters because Hobart is growing and changing. We need to make smart and sustainable choices so our city remains a great place to live, work and enjoy while tackling the big challenges like:

  • Not enough housing options, especially ones located close to jobs and services

  • The need for more jobs and creative spaces to support future industries

  • Limited greenery and open space in the city

  • A constrained road network that doesn't always work well for everyone

  • The impacts of climate change, such as increasing floods and bushfires

  • Narrow streets that need to feel welcoming, safe and accessible

Designing our city well helps us face these challenges in creative, thoughtful ways and build a future Hobart we can all be proud of.

How to have your say?

You can share your thoughts on the draft Hobart Design Guidelines from Tuesday 6 May to Tuesday 10 June 2025.

Here's how:

1. Take the online survey

Share your thoughts about design in Hobart and what matters most to you using the survey link below.

2. Come to our public forum at Shambles Brewery

Join us for a relaxed conversation about the future of design in Hobart. Hear from industry leaders such as planners, architects, developers and other people who shape our city.

The event will take place on the evening of Wednesday 21 May.

Free tickets can be reserved here.

3. Visit our pop-up at Mathers Lane

Drop by to chat with the City's engagement team and share your thoughts in person. We'll be hanging out in Mathers Lane on Sunday 11 May 2025, from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

4. Share your favourite places in the city

Add photos and comments about your favourite places to hang out in Hobart on the interactive map below. It could be a street, building or open space. We want to hear what you think makes spaces great 😊

5. Stay in the loop

Want updates about this project? Send us an email at communityengagement@hobartcity.com.au to join our urban design mailing list.

Accessibility

The City of Hobart is committed to building inclusive, strong and healthy communities through the celebration of diversity and participation in community life by making services, programs and facilities accessible for people of all ages and abilities. This includes our community engagement processes.

Please call our Community Engagement Team on 0458 249 660 if you would like to speak about ways to make this project more suitable to your accessibility requirements.

Page last updated: 09 May 2025, 11:02 PM