Australian cities face immense pressure to meet projected housing need. ‘Compact city’ polices promoting higher density urban renewal within the urban boundary, largely delivered through the private market, are seen as solutions to this problem. Using innovative conceptual and methodological approaches, this project will determine the nature and extent of recent higher density urban renewal in two Australian cities, explore the motivations of those involved and their understanding of the policy context, and determine the factors inhibiting housing supply in urban renewal target areas. The research will advance planning theory in the management of contemporary urban change and support more informed planning policy in this area.

Reports:

The changing political economy of the compact city and higher density urban renewal in Sydney

These working papers examines the policies shaping the development and implementation of higher density urban renewal projects in Sydney and Perth from 2000 onward. Together these papers set up the historical and conceptual framework that underpins the data analysis and interviews being conducted for this project.