The 2018 Lendlease Bradfield Urbanisation Scholarship Student Finalists.
Now in its fourth year, the annual Lendlease Bradfield Urbanisation Scholarship celebrates the legacy and leadership of celebrated engineer, John Bradfield. A University of Sydney alumnus, his contribution to the city鈥檚 architectural identity continues to define Sydney鈥檚 skyline. As the former Chief Engineer for the NSW Public Works Department, he was instrumental in the construction of Sydney鈥檚 underground City Circle railway system, and is known as the 鈥榝ather鈥 of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
This year, scholarship applicants were asked to follow in Bradfield鈥檚 footsteps by explaining what they thought the biggest obstacle to success for Sydney鈥檚 future as a global city is, and what ideas they had to overcome that obstacle.
The ideas of our seven young visionaries include clever environmental solutions to cool Sydney, unique ways to upgrade our current transport system and ones which harnessed the vibrant cultural identities of the Greater Sydney area.
The 2018 recipient of the Lendlease Bradfield Urbanisation Scholarship will be announced at the Bradfield Oration in Sydney on Monday 19 November.
Katherine Cai, 2018 finalist
We need to look beyond the CBD to cultivate Sydney鈥檚 future economic success, says Bachelor of Project Management student Katherine Cai.
She proposes developing specialised hubs focusing on education, health, leisure and commerce across the Greater Sydney region, bolstered by new infrastructure and transport links to ensure liveability and accessibility for both locals and international visitors.
James McLarty, 2018 finalist
Climate change poses significant risks to ensuring a reliable and plentiful supply of water for Sydney's future, says second-year Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Project Management student James McLarty.
His solution is forming public spaces that retain, purify and recycle water, such as urban forests throughout the city鈥檚 maze of concrete and steel. These spaces would provide a balance between infrastructure and the natural environment.
James was inspired by recent work experience with the Central Coast Council鈥檚 Water and Sewer Department, where he was tasked with researching water-sensitive design.
Kavya Nagpal, 2018 finalist
First-year Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws student Kavya Nagpal says the Sydney of the future will be more connected than ever, but also more lonely.
Inspired by leading American architect Jeanne Gang鈥檚 Aqua Tower in Chicago and the 鈥楽uperblocks鈥 of Barcelona, Kavya 聽has a vision for 鈥榤icropolises鈥 鈥 or urban villages 鈥 of residential high-rises, vertical farms and commercial and public-services buildings that incorporate innovative modern design solutions to create a sense of community that flourished in local villages in the past.
Henry Nelson, 2018 finalist
Sydney鈥檚 population will swelter in extreme temperatures in future decades due to climate change, says Bachelor of International and Global Studies student Henry Nelson.
The solution? Henry proposes our streets be organised to encourage the drawing of cool air inland from waterways like the Parramatta, Hawkesbury, Nepean and Georges rivers, and that modern building techniques like generative design and 3D printing be used to ensure future urban development is ecological and economical.
Henry was inspired by buildings that defy the warmth of their environments such as the Chandni Chowk 鈥撀 the ancient warren of narrow shaded passageways in Delhi 鈥 and the enormous cross-ventilated rooms in Ho Chi Minh City鈥檚 Presidential Palace.
Sean Perry, 2018 finalist
First-year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws student Sean Perry says rampant development with poor governance and planning is threatening Sydney鈥檚 future.
His solution is a 鈥榬eturn to the streets鈥, taking inspiration from the Inner West Council鈥檚 GreenWay environmental and active travel corridor project.
He proposes a city-long network of bike paths, pedestrian walkways, parks and sporting facilities, along a light rail line.
Anastasia Uricher, 2018 finalist
Second-year Bachelor of Architecture and Environments student Anastasia Uricher believes the incorporation of Indigenous and migrant cultures into the city鈥檚 identity would ensure Sydney's success as a global city.
Her proposal envisages cultural hubs in currently unnurtured inland areas 鈥 large, open spaces, filled with community-oriented projects initiated by locals, such as street libraries, community galleries, festivals and gardens.
Beverley Zou, 2018 finalist
Reflecting her peers鈥 concerns around housing affordability, livability and reliable transportation, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws student Beverley Zou suggests that disruptive technologies can help turn the Sydney of the future into a 鈥渟mart city鈥.
The second-year student suggests a three-tier approach, comprising 鈥楥o-living, Stackable Complexes鈥 to tackle housing affordability, an 鈥楢utomated Underground Carriage Rail System鈥 to encourage public transport use, and a 鈥楥rypto-Public Transport System鈥 that rewards people with cryptocurrency for reducing their carbon footprint.
The Lendlease Bradfield Urbanisation Scholarship is now open for 2019 - .