Planners, architects blueprint Sydney’s future at DesignBUILD expo

Leaders in planning and architecture will come together to blueprint the future of Sydney’s expansion into a three-city metropolis in the lead up the 2019 Federal Election — which sees candidates campaign to beat overdevelopment, congestion and a forever-changing skyline while also planning for a ‘big Australia’.

Aerial shots far western Sydney viewed from the sky. Parramatta city skyline in front of Sydney CBD in background.

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Leaders in planning and architecture will come together to blueprint the future of Sydney’s expansion into a three-city metropolis in the lead up the 2019 Federal Election — which sees candidates campaign to beat overdevelopment, congestion and a forever-changing skyline while also planning for a ‘big Australia’.

Plans for three cities have dominated the vision for Sydney’s future. But now, world-leading strategic planners, architects and urban designers will discuss taking the Greater Sydney Commission’s plans and make it a reality.

The Western Sydney Aerotropolis will play a major role in the future of Sydney.

University of Technology Sydney adjunct professor of architecture Craig Allchin, Urbis associate director Karima Palafox, Fender Katsalidis director Rob Mirams and Hassell principal David Tickle will join NewsCorp urban affairs reporter Jake McCallum to discuss the transformation to a ‘big Australia’.

Hassell principal David Tickle.

Urbis associate director Karima Palafox.

Ms Palafox said she, like other panellists, agree that population growth was not the problem that will plague a big Australia — how to masterplan for it was the main concern.

“New places like Western Sydney need to be planned to be even more liveable and accessible than Sydney,” she said.

“We need to make sure all of our city centres are vibrant so all kinds of talent — people of varying skills, age, backgrounds — will want to live there.”

Fender Katsalidis director Rob Mirams.

UTS adjunct professor of architecture, Craig Allchin.

Ms Palafox said the assumption all Australians want “a single detached house with one or two cars” was not true.

“These are the people that we need to plan for and we need to accommodate for their desire to live in inner cities,” she said.

Mr Allchin said the need for increased density, economic and cultural hubs for people to live in was becoming a new reality.

Transport options will continue to be upgraded to support a big Australia.

“Affordability is obviously one of the key challenges facing our cities, but delivering good density is probably the more interesting problem,” he said. “People’s preferences are changing, and a lot of people want to live in more interesting, dense urban environments but there is not enough of these areas and they are expensive.

“So, it’s about creating more of the places that people want to live, rather than have this dichotomy between expensive inner-urban hipster zones and less expensive suburban areas.”

Housing options will change to meet growing population numbers. Picture: Sam Mooy

Planning for a big Australia will be discussed at the DesignBUILD Sydney event from 14-16 May at ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour.

Further information and tickets available at designbuildexpo.com.au/speaker-series

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