Random Art
What makes a city look nice? First on my list is water and bridges. A river is the most preferable but a harbor or group of islands will do. Second is parks and open space. Brisbane does both of those well plus they've added random artwork throughout the city in noticable places like high trafficed sidewalks. They're easy to recognize and add some character to an otherwise uneventful street.
Examples include:
This colorful geometric sculpture

Metal kangaroos, one of which is on a bench. The question becomes... Is this sculpture just taking up bench space? Or is the bench part of the piece?

Walkway enclosure

Lifesize statues of people in the street

Big metal spheres
Examples include:
This colorful geometric sculpture
Metal kangaroos, one of which is on a bench. The question becomes... Is this sculpture just taking up bench space? Or is the bench part of the piece?
Walkway enclosure
Lifesize statues of people in the street
Big metal spheres