What liveable neighbourhoods are and why we want them, our first pilot area, the Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods handbook.
Liveable neighbourhoods are areas of a city that are improved to be people-centred and more ‘liveable'.
They're safe, healthy, inclusive, and attractive places where everyone can breathe clean air, have access to better quality green spaces and safe spaces to play, and feel a part of a community.
The improvements in a liveable neighbourhood aim to make it easier to catch a bus and to walk or cycle, with improved infrastructure and less through traffic.
Designing changes with the local community means they'll meet local needs, this is known as co-design.
The improvements can be small scale and easy to install, such as:
- planting trees
- providing more benches
- community activity spaces
- cross points
- better lighting
East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood pilot project
The East Bristol pilot is the first liveable neighbourhood project in Bristol.
It's looking at improvements, designed in partnership with local communities, to achieve a better balance between how local streets are used by vehicles and people.
The pilot area in is Barton Hill and parts of Redfield and St George, south of Church Road and north of the River Avon.
Work took place in late 2024 and early 2024 to install the trial scheme. Some of these were changed or removed in early 2026 following public consultation.
Find out more about the scheme on the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood website.
South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods
We are working on the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods project, which is across 11 neighbourhoods in south Bristol.
We're working with the local community to design safer and quieter streets to:
- encourage people to walk, cycle and wheel for shorter journeys
- improve air quality
- enhance the public realm and green spaces
- improve access to local high streets
There is a particular focus on Totterdown, Southville and Bedminster East neighbourhoods in the first phase of the project. This is because of the number of traffic concerns, the early level of support for changes, how close they are to the city centre, and their strong links to the transport network.
Proposals include:
- introducing parking measures
- changing some traffic movements
- creating better local transport options
- making roads safer
- improving high streets, areas near schools, and local centres
Find out more on the South Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods website.
The Liveable Neighbourhoods handbook
The Liveable Neighbourhoods handbook is for:
- the public
- local councillors
- stakeholder groups
The handbook gives an overview of the design and engagement principles of Liveable Neighbourhoods. It's a living document that will be updated to incorporate learnings from:
- our pilot project in East Bristol
- the second pilot as it comes forward
- examples from across the country
In the handbook, we set out a clear and consistent description of Liveable Neighbourhoods. This can help local councillors and communities to have informed conversations about these projects, and whether they're appropriate for their local areas.
The handbook is not intended to be used by groups to develop proposals for a Liveable Neighbourhood in their area without council input. It provides clarity on the necessary conditions for successful projects, to help set expectations and lay the foundations for how projects can be progressed.
Read the pdf Liveable Neighbourhoods handbook(210 KB) .