The term 'urban design' refers to how towns, streets and public spaces look, feel and function.

It includes considerations like planning, engineering, architecture, transport and economics, and how all these things affect the design of the public places we use every day.

The urban design of a place includes how buildings fit into the spaces around them, how people move from one place to another (especially as a pedestrian), the layout and features of parks and open spaces, and the overall appearance of a street.

Generally the goal of urban design is to make places safer, and more accessible, sustainable and user-friendly.

More information is available at www.urbandesign.org.au and in the Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria.

The Victorian Planning Authority defines an urban design framework (UDF) as "a strategic planning tool that sets out a design vision for the future development of a place".

UDFs vary according to the needs of each unique place, but they usually identify its features and any key issues or problems, and how changes to the design of that place can be used to improve it.

A UDF generally includes a vision and goals, maps and plans, design guidelines, and implementation strategies. Importantly, it is usually a 'high-level' strategic document which sets out an overall plan - the detailed design individual projects occurs later as part of the implementation phase.

The public realm includes "spaces and places that are freely accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic or social conditions. These spaces can include streets, laneways and roads, parks, public plazas, waterways and foreshores".

While the public realm mostly relates to public land, private development can have an impact on the public realm including through the appearance of buildings, views to and from public spaces, and features that might be part of the streetscape such as forecourts, verandahs or seating.

Kyneton's main streets are a hub of activity for the town, and an everyday destination for many residents and visitors for shopping, appointments, and socialising.

Piper Street, Mollison Street and High Street once formed part of the Calder Highway through town, however little has changed in the design of these streets since the opening of the bypass in the 1990s.

The UDF recognises the crucial role that the main streets play in the life of the township, with a range of projects designed to make these precincts safer, more attractive, and easier to move around.

A range of other Council strategies cover the township as a whole including the Kyneton Movement Network Plan, the Kyneton Structure Plan and the Shire-wide Footpath Plan.

Maps and plans of key projects are contained in the UDF document, available to download above.

The map on page 24 shows an overview of all the projects, with more detailed plans and concepts for each precinct in chapter 5.

Please get in touch with the project team if you would like to discuss the plans in more detail. Further consultation will be carried out with any affected landowners as part of the design and implementation of each individual project.

No. Most of the projects in the UDF relate to public land such as streets, parks and car parks.

The UDF includes design guidelines for new development proposals, which will provide guidance to Council's planners and may be implemented at a later date via changes to the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme.

This only affects new planning permit applications, not existing buildings - it is not retrospective.