How debate can improve urbanism and design
Featuring panel discussions, talks, walking tours, and podcasts involving researchers, policy makers, industry experts and community leaders, the Festival of Urbanism program brings new and diverse voices together around shared concern for the future planning and design of Australia鈥檚 cities and regions.
鈥淲e are currently witnessing a series of decision-making processes which are inflaming conflict or inviting distrust, with local communities feeling disempowered or ignored.
鈥淒espite increasing recognition of Aboriginal custodianship of country, traditional owners continue to fight for sovereignty over land, while difficult decisions about whether to retrofit or relocate localities impacted by the escalating climate crisis threaten to divide communities.鈥� Said Nicole Gurran, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning and Director of the Henry Halloran Research Trust.
Presented by the Henry Halloran Research Trust, University of Sydney, the Festival will be held across multiple cities where debate will tackle these topics head on.
Australia is at a crossroads when it comes to housing, cities, and regions, but the national discourse often seems dominated by interest groups, politicians, or a small number of expert commentators.
"The Festival of Urbanism expands and informs these discussions each year by bringing new and diverse voices to the table."
鈥淭opics will range from how and where to accommodate the new plan for 1.2 million homes 鈥� and whether it will solve Australia鈥檚 housing affordability crisis 鈥� to protecting environmental or cultural heritage, or the implications of AI and automation for cities and urban life.鈥�
This year鈥檚 line-up includes University of Sydney鈥檚 Professor Nicole Gurran, Dr Luke Hespanhol, Dr Sophia Maalsen, Professor Rosemary Lyster, and Dr Robert Stokes, former minister for Planning, Public Spaces, and Cities, Tegan Mitchell, Manager Major Transport Projects, City of Sydney, and Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, author, journalist and Henry Halloran Research Trust Writer in Residence - to answer the most pressing issues around urban planning and design:
路听听听听听听 How will new housing, environmental, or infrastructure reform agendas advanced by governments and others confront challenges of听 affordability, socio-economic exclusion, cultural heritage or biodiversity protection, and whose voices will, or should, be heard?
路听听听听听听 How are Australia鈥檚 Indigenous and settler histories recognised and confronted in cultural heritage conservation and urban planning practice, alongside wider struggles for native title, land rights, and spatial justice?
路听听听听听听 Is increasing housing supply, as advocated by the new YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movement, the solution to Australia鈥檚 housing problems?
路听听听听听听 Can contests of ideas and values lead to more innovative or inclusive models of urban governance or design?听听
"By keeping events free and open to the public, the Festival of Urbanism welcomes everyone to engage in evidence-based debates over solutions to the urgent crises facing urban and regional communities across Australia."
Festival highlights for Sydney:
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The annual Festival of Urbanism is an initiative of the University of Sydney鈥檚 Henry Halloran Research Trust and is hosted in partnership with Monash University.
Brought to you by the Henry Halloran Research Trust and Monash Urban Planning and Design with the assistance of the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning