The street's steepness was unintentional. As with many other parts of Dunedin, and indeed New Zealand, streets were laid out in a grid pattern with no consideration for the terrain, usually by planners in London. Despite its apparent cul-de-sac, Baldwin Street is linked across the top by an unformed road linking it with Calder Ave and Arnold Street which are unformed in their upper reaches (where Baldwin is at its steepest). The next street to the south, Dalmeny, is formed of concrete (like Baldwin) and is also very steep.