Reshaping Sydney by design

Over the past two decades,, Sydney has quietly adopted a mandatory competitive design process for the projects that have transformed the city skyline.

Our unsustainable cities need local planning innovations

Thirty years after the landmark Brundtland report, urban planners are still grappling with the challenges of making our cities sustainable but local solutions may offer the best options for the future.

Making cities a better home for everyone – and everything

It’s the urban age for people – and for other species too – so it’s time to start planning for all the plants and animals that call our cities home.

Designing ‘compassionate’ cities

The Dutch concept of ‘woonerfs’ – ‘living yards’ designed to invite walking, playing, socialising and cycling while curbing motor vehicles – has spread around the world and should be embraced by Australia.

Our ‘liveable’ cities need a visionary response to rapid growth

Australia is now undergoing its third great wave of population growth, putting pressure on infrastructure, services and the environment. A similar third wave of planning and investment in open space and green infrastructure is therefore now needed to underpin liveability as our cities grow.

Boost for Western Sydney from ‘smart city’ transport plans

Professor Barney Glover, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University, believes the new Western Sydney transport deal will help create a ‘smarter city’.

Our cities need metro-scale governance

Have Australia’s big cities, including Melbourne and Sydney, outgrown the historical patchwork governance structure of local councils?