PEDESTRIAN lights in Braddon have been changed from a “walking man” to walking same sex couples as part of a City Renewal Precinct new place initiative.

Eight green pedestrian lights at the intersection of Cooyong Street with Lonsdale and Genge streets are the first to be changed. They were installed on November 7 to coincide with the Spring Out Festival.

City Renewal Authority chief executive officer Malcolm Snow says the project replaces selected pedestrian lights around the precinct in order to better recognise the diversity of the community.  

“This first location was selected because Braddon has distinctively been the place of celebration for Canberra’s LGBTIQ community,” Mr Snow says.  

“A year ago we saw this area filled with people, colour and joy after the country voted overwhelmingly in favour of marriage equality.”

The authority will now look for other sites within the City Renewal Precinct to upgrade pedestrian lights at intersections.

“Where we can match up shapes that capture a specific area’s character and identity, and those shapes can practically be made into a pedestrian light shroud, we will look to extend the project in other parts of the precinct,” Mr Snow says.