City Futures Planning
The Planning Program provides cross-cutting, impactful research on key urban planning and policy issues facing Australian cities, regions and beyond. Underpinned by a firm grounding and understanding of urban social and economic process and geospatial analysis, the Planning team has particular expertise in:
- The design, dynamics and delivery of the Compact City, notably the drivers, implementation and lived outcomes of urban densification, suburban renewal and neighbourhood change.
- Strategic and metropolitan planning frameworks, including housing market analysis, land use, spatial disadvantage, and governance arrangements for progressive, fair and productive cities
- Integrating health considerations into urban planning and design, providing critical evidence to inform key policy, professional practice, and place making strategies
- Urban and regional policy debate across all spatial scales, including planning for regional/mid-sized cities, regional growth and contemporary population shifts
Competitive advantage
Researchers in the Planning Program draw upon a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds including geography, economics, law, housing and city and regional planning. We also draw upon extensive expertise and insight in policy and practice with many in the group also benefitting from state and local government as well as private sector experience. Our team acts as the key nexus between City Futures research and the City Planning Program in the ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç School of Built Environment – a partnership recognised as a world-class research hub and receiving the highest rating in the last three Australian Research Council (ARC) ERA assessment exercises for Urban and Regional Planning (in 2012, 2015 and 2018). Much of our research is supported by competitive (Category 1) grants through the ARC and AHURI and typically undertaken in partnership with policymakers across all levels of government and academic colleagues across Australia and internationally. This provides a unique platform for rigorous, evidence-based research that seeks to ask the critical issues facing our cities, regions and communities and helps drive action towards fair, productive, progressive, healthy and sustainable urban outcomes.
Impact
Our research seeks to address the critical challenges facing our cities through using evidence to not only provide policy-focused and directly relevant insight and toolkits to inform debate and practice, but also to give voice to the many stakeholders involved in shaping and stewarding our built environments. Our planning research has been recognised in Planning Institute Australia’s National Planning Awards, has informed and been cited in high level strategic and local planning reports, and our publications contribute to international academic debate on densification, urban renewal and healthy built environments. Government agencies seek our advice and expertise, and our team regularly make submissions to a range of Federal and State government Inquiries on planning and urban policy matters. Our research also provides a key resource in contemporary public debate through media engagement around key research insights.
Successful applications and research highlights
Planning program researchers have a strong funding track record, with an excellent portfolio of completed and underway projects funded by the ARC, AHURI and industry partners including state and local government and public sector agencies. A suite of ARC projects focused on building the evidence base for the Compact City has unpacked a breadth of design, governance, development, lived experience and renewal considerations tied to urban intensification. Highlights in our current research portfolio include analysis of development feasibility models and processes underpinning high-density residential development, and in-depth case studies of the experiences of owners in upzoned precincts and collective sales and land assembly activity. Recently completed AHURI research has contributed to policy debates on the future of Australian regional cities. Through the work of the Healthy Built Environments Program, planning, designing, developing and managing cities, towns and infrastructure to promote and protect health for all people is now seen as a core component of contemporary professional practice and policy formulation. Forward research will continue to build critical insights into the drivers and impacts of processes of urban change at all spatial scales and how planning and policy impacts upon city outcomes and lived experience.
Capabilities and facilities
The Planning team has expertise across a breadth of research techniques in support of our research and typically adopt a multi-methods approach in our work. We also work collaboratively with research teams nationally and internationally to underpin grounded, evidenced, accessible insight. We have extensive expertise in policy analysis and evaluation, case study research, undertaking expert and stakeholder in-depth interviews, survey design and implementation, conducting focus groups, and research which directly engages local communities in urban and regional futures. Much of our work benefits from the urban big data and analytical capabilities enabled through the City Analytics Lab (CAL). The Housing Analytics Lab (HAL) based in South Eveleigh offers a state-of-the art facility for academics, policymakers, practitioners and the community to collaborate on, and co-design, research activities.Ìý
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Teaching
Our research is closely linked to a number of courses within ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Built Environment at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. ÌýThe following courses are taught by City Shaping staff who leverage considerable research experience delivering the most up to date knowledge relevant to today’s changing urban landscape.
- Ìý(PG)
- Ìý(PG)
- Ìý(PG)
- Ìý(PG)
Projects
Current
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Camden Residential Strategy Review
Creating Child Friendly Cities
Social Outcomes of Residential development Sydney Olympic Park
Demographic and Housing Analysis in Bankstown
Urban and Town Planning Thematic Heritage Study
Understanding the perceived benefits of living in regional cities
Managing Major Repairs in the Residential Strata Sector
The Social Outcomes of Urban Consolidation in Sydney
Improving outcomes for apartment residents and neighbourhoods
Who Lives in Higher Density Housing, and Why?
Equitable Density: The place for lower-income and disadvantage households in a dense city
Planning in a Market Economy: The case of the Compact City
Housing affordability, central city economic productivity and the lower income labour market
Living Together: The Rise of Multigenerational Households in Australian Cities
Review of International Comparisons in the NSW Green Paper
Understanding and addressing local opposition to affordable housing projects
Implementing Metropolitan Planning Strategies: Taking into Account Local Level Housing Demand
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- Troy L; Easthope H; Randolph B; Pinnegar S, 2017, '‘It depends what you mean by the term rights’: strata termination and housing rights',ÌýHousing Studies, vol. 32, pp. 1 - 16,Ìý.
- Troy L, 2017, 'The politics of urban renewal in Sydney’s residential apartment market',ÌýUrban Studies, pp. 004209801769545-004209801769545, 10.1177/0042098017695459
- Bunker R; Troy LJ, 2016, The changing political economy of the compact city and higher density urban renewal in Perth, City Futures Research Centre, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Australia, Sydney,Ìý
- Tice A, 2015,ÌýAge-cohort and Housing Market Demand Area interactions,Ìý Research note prepared for City Futures Research Centre (ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ)
- Alzona, L., Baker, B., Campbell, R., Carfield, A., Meyer, L., Wan, H. & Warrell, M. (2015) Alexandria: Liveability, Community and Change, Sydney: City Futures Research Centre
- Burnley I; Liu E; Easthope H, 2015, 'Geographies of Adult Multigenerational Family Households in Metropolitan Sydney',ÌýGeographical Research,Ìý
- Liu EY; Easthope H; Judd B; Burnley I, 2015, 'Housing multigenerational households in Australian cities: Evidence from Sydney and Brisbane at the turn of the twenty-first century', in "Dufty-Jones R; Rogers D" (ed.),ÌýHousing in Twenty-First Century Australia: People, Practices and Policies, Ashgate, Aldershot, pp. 21-37,Ìý
- Troy L; Randolph B; Pinnegar S; Easthope H, 2015, 'Planning the End of the Compact City?', in Burton P; Shearer H (ed.),ÌýState of Australian Cities Conference 2015: Refereed Proceedings, State of Australian Cities Research Network, Gold Coast, presented at State of Australian Cities Conference 2015, Gold Coast, 09 December 2015 - 11 December 2015,Ìý
- Troy L, Randolph B, Crommelin L, Easthope H, Pinnegar S, 2015, Renewing the Compact City: Economically viable and socially sustainable approaches to urban redevelopment, City Futures Research Centre, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Australia, Sydney, Australia
- Troy L; Easthope H; Randolph B; Pinnegar S, 2015, Renewing the Compact City: Interim Report, City Futures Research Centre, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Australia, Sydney, Australia
- Randolph B; Troy L; Pinnegar S; Easthope H, 2015, 'Renewing the Compact City: Who can afford it?', presented at State of Australian Cities, Gold Coast, 9 - 11 December 2015
- Bunker R, 2015,ÌýThe changing political economy of the compact city and higher density urban renewal in Sydney, City Futures Research Centre,ÌýºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Australia, Sydney, Australia
- Easthope H; Liu EY; Burnley I; Judd B, 2014, 'Changing perceptions of family: A study of multigenerational households in Australia', inÌýChanging perceptions of family: A study of multigenerational households in Australia, The Australian Sociological Association Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, presented at The Australian Sociological Association Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, 25 - 27 November 2014ÌýÌý
- Liu EY; Easthope H, 2014, 'Companionship, familial relationships and individuality: Sense of (be)longing in multigenerational households', inÌýCompanionship, familial relationships and individuality: Sense of (be)longing in multigenerational households, Seminar on local belonging, University College London, presented at Seminar on local belonging, University College London, 17 - 17 July 2014
- Tice A, 2014, 'Featured graphic: Intraregional household moves in Sydney',ÌýEnvironment and Planning AÌývol. 46, no. 3, pp. 509-510,Ìý
- Easthope H; McNamara N; Thompson S, 2014, Green Square Community Survey 2014: Final Report, City Futures Research Centre, Sydney, Australia
- Easthope H; Warnken J; Sherry C; Coiacetto E; Dredge D; Guilding C; Johnston N; Lamminmaki D; Reid S, 2014, 'How property title impacts urban consolidation: a lifecycle examination of multi-title developments',ÌýUrban Policy and Research, vol. 32, pp. 289-304,Ìý
- Liu E; Easthope H; Burnley I; Judd B, 2014, 'Multigenerational households in Australian cities: Evidence from Sydney and Brisbane at the turn of the twenty-first century', inÌý7th Australasian Housing Researchers' Conference, AHRC 2013: Refereed Proceedings
- Liu EY; Easthope H; Burnley I; Judd B, 2014, 'Negotiating multigenerational bonds: Financial and non-financial outcomes of living in multigenerational households in Australia', inÌýNegotiating multigenerational bonds: Financial and non-financial outcomes of living in multigenerational households in Australia, The Australian Sociological Association Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, presented at The Australian Sociological Association Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, 25 - 27 November 2014
- Pinnegar S; Randolph B; Tice A, 2014, 'Surveying household flows in metropolitan Sydney: a framework for more responsive strategic planning?', presented at ENHR 2014, Edingburgh, 1 - 4 July 2014,Ìý
- Randolph B; Easthope H, 2014, 'The Rise of Micro-government: Strata Title, Reluctant Democrats and the New Urban Vertical Polity', in Gleeson B; Beza B (ed.),ÌýThe Public City: Essays in Honour of Paul Mees, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria, pp. 210-224,Ìý
- Easthope H, 2014, 'The role of retirees in residential private governments',ÌýJournal of Urban Affairs, 10.1111/juaf.12138
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- Legacy C; Davison G; Liu EY; van den Nouwelant R; Piracha A, 2013, 'Democratic Infrastructure? Delivering affordable housing under Australia's Social Housing Initiative', in Ruming K; Randolph B; Gurran N (eds.),ÌýState of Australian Cities Conference 2013: Refereed Proceedings, SOAC Research Network, Sydney, presented at State of Australian Cities Conference 2013, Sydney, 27 - 29 November 2013,Ìý
- Easthope H; van den Nouwelant R, 2013, Home Modifications in Strata: Final Report, City Futures Research Centre, Sydney,Ìý
- Pinnegar S; randolph B; legacy C; tice A, 2013, Implementing Metropolitan Planning Strategies: Taking into account local housing demand – Survey Report, City Futures Research Centre, Sydney
- Pinnegar S; Randolph B; Legacy C; Tice A; Pinnegar S, 2013, Implementing metropolitan planning strategies: taking into account local housing demand - Techincal Report, City Futures Research Centre, Sydney
- Tice A, 2013, Moving through markets,ÌýJournal of MapsÌý, vol. 9, no. 2, pp.161-177,Ìý
- Liu EY; Easthope H, 2013, Multigenerational households on the rise, Shelter NSW, Sydney,Ìý
- Pinnegar S; van den Nouwelant R; Judd B; Randolph B, 2013, Understanding Housing and Location Choices of Retiring Australians in the "Baby Boom" Generation, City Futures Research Centre, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Australia, Sydney,Ìý
- Easthope H; Tice AJ, 2011, 'Children in Apartments: Implications for the Compact City',ÌýUrban Policy and Research, vol. 29, pp. 415 - 434,ÌýÌý
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- Liu EY; Easthope H, 2010, 'Young Australians in multigenerational households: trends, drivers and implications', inÌýYoung Australians in multigenerational households: trends, drivers and implications, New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand, presented at New Zealand Geographical Society Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand, 05 - 08 July 2010
- Troy L; Easthope H; Randolph B; Pinnegar S, 2017, '‘It depends what you mean by the term rights’: strata termination and housing rights',ÌýHousing Studies, vol. 32, pp. 1 - 16,Ìý.