The Adelaide Design Manual and its related documents is the product of an extensive process of research and analysis that has considered a range of public realm guidance developed at both the national and state level, and addresses a wide range of issues regarding the design and management of public spaces in the City of Adelaide.

The development of the Adelaide Design Manual directly supports the outcome of City of Adelaide’s strategic guidance Smart Move, The City of Adelaide’s Transport and Movement Strategy, 2012-22, in particular Outcome 8: Great Streets. It was created in partnership with the State Government Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure through the Places for People Grant program.

It also builds on significant community engagement through Smart Move, Picture Adelaide, and in consultation with City of Adelaide’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel, which consists of representatives from Access 2 Arts, the Disability Information and Resources Centre, Disability SA, Guide Dogs SA, the Royal Society for the Blind and individual representation.

The Adelaide Design Manual builds on the city’s current strengths and draws from past experiences, both locally and internationally, in urban design and sustainability principles providing future design direction for public spaces.

Council’s Smart Move, The City of Adelaide’s Transport and Movement Strategy, 2012-22 is currently under review. Once the review is completed the Adelaide Design Manual will be updated to reflect the feedback and outcomes of the review process.