City planning campaign welcomed by industry
The ‘Make My City Work’ campaign, lauched yesterday and aiming to promote better planned, managed and financed cities, has been welcomed by industry members.
A national discussion about the future of Australian cities is of the highest importance to ensure that they will be sustainable, productive and liveable, said the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) about the Property Council of Australia’s (PCA) campaign.
The campaign is 'one to watch' for investors as it has the potential to shape planning policy for the future, with the recent liveability study from the PCA making recommendations for housing, transport and other areas that scored low points from respondents.
Three quarters of Australians currently live in cities, and this will grow to four in five by 2050, making this a significant project, said GBCA executive director – advocacy and international Robin Mellon.
"Our cities also generate around 80 per cent of the nation's economic activity, so the productivity of our cities isvital to Australia's economic future,” Mr Mellon said.
The form, shape and ease of assessment of the cities is a key part of this community-feedback driven campaign.
The Property Council of Australia aims to shape future policy with relevant surveys and reports created under this initiative.
"Cities must be 'front and centre' of any discussion about Australia's future. We need a broad conversation, adversity of views, and a range of tools to help us reshape our vision and measure the success of Australia's cities," he said.
"Australia's cities have never faced so many challenges - from transport congestion and housing affordability, to population growth and adapting to climate change. We need smart urban policy and joined-up thinking to address these challenges and we congratulate the Property Council of Australia for turning up the volume on this debate.”