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Australia’s Urban Transformation: The Intersection of Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Housing

4 Sep 2024
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Urbis Urbis Newsroom
4 Sep 2024

Through the diversity of our work, we find ourselves at the forefront of some of the most complex challenges facing our cities and communities.

We are committed to achieving sustainable outcomes, creating inclusive communities and precincts and helping to tackle housing affordability.

At Urbis, we have a collaborative internal committee of motivated individuals called the Emerging Leaders. Representatives from throughout our offices plan initiatives to enrich our culture and promote some of the innovative projects from across Urbis and our international team, Cistri.  

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These projects demonstrate the diversity of our advisory expertise and our unique position to help solve some of the most complex challenges faced by our cities.

Recently, Urbis CEO, Benjamin Pollack asked our Emerging Leaders group to collate a selection of projects that highlight Urbis and Cistri’s impact. These Emerging Leaders include:  

  •  Sabina Krslovic (Consultant, NSW);  
  • Emily Swain (Senior Urban Designer, Qld);  
  • Joseph Njaramba (Consultant, Vic);  
  • Lara Vartoukian (Senior Urban Designer, WA); and  
  • Craig Tunstall (Associate Director, Cistri, Singapore)  

The projects highlighted are of varying scales and demonstrate the diversity of our advisory expertise and our unique position to help solve some of the most complex challenges faced by our cities.  

Sustainability: Shaping a Resilient Future

Sustainability considerations are embedded in each project we touch. We look at evidence-based solutions across asset life cycles; advising businesses, community organisations, and governments on the environmental, social, governance, and economic impacts of design, planning, investment and policy decisions. 

Investing in sustainable outcomes helps to future proof both our communities and environment. We work with clients to develop sustainable solutions that support commercial viability. Our experts are uniquely positioned to provide independent, pragmatic advice to bring about positive and sustainable change that benefits both people and place, in Australia and internationally. 

PROJECTS:

Smart Places Maturity Assessment Framework 

This framework equips NSW councils with the tools to measure progress, set goals, and plan strategically, enhancing their capacity to develop places sustainably and make informed decisions. By integrating international reference frameworks and standards, the Maturity Assessment Framework provides a practical tool for evaluating and guiding the development of smart places. This supports the NSW Government’s aspiration to lead in smart state initiatives, promoting consistency, benchmarking, and best practice adoption. 

Decarbonisation of Community Housing in NSW 

Our experts delivered two reports that put community housing in focus to address decarbonisation and mitigating the portfolio’s carbon footprint. The findings demonstrate the social and financial cost savings to tenants and government on investment in decarbonising the community housing portfolio, while also providing Community Housing Providers (CHPs) with targeted advice on how to decarbonise. 

Thimphu Bhutan: Costumed monk performs traditional dance

Gelephu Mindfulness City Economic Framework, Bhutan – Cistri 

Internationally, our work on the Gelephu Mindfulness City Economic Framework in Bhutan allowed for the linking of economic inputs with the desired sustainability outcomes of the project through its masterplan, economic framework and investment attraction strategy. 

Inclusivity: Designing cities for everyone

Inclusion is fundamental to a liveable city. At Urbis, we recognise the importance of creating spaces that are accessible, safe, and welcoming for all residents, regardless of their age, gender, ability, cultural background or socioeconomic status.  

 Inclusive cities don’t just support diversity, they celebrate it! Strong inclusive design fosters social cohesion and promotes equal opportunities, allowing everyone to participate fully in urban life. We work closely with our clients to create precincts and cities that truly reflect and cater to the diverse communities they serve. 

PROJECTS:

Smart City Innovation Challenge: Safer Public Spaces for Women and Girls 

An important project aiming to create safer, more inclusive public spaces for women and children. By collaborating with local councils and conducting workshops with women and girls, the project integrates community insights into placemaking and urban design, ensuring the creation of public spaces that reflect the needs and experiences of diverse community members. 

Enabling Lives Festival, Singapore. Image source: Isabelle Lim

Enabling Village, Singapore – Cistri 

Our work on the Enabling Village in Singapore, a collaboration with Lopelab, aims at activating spaces within this inclusive community to improve integration of persons with disabilities into the broader community. Through community engagement, inclusive programming, and accessibility enhancements, the project seeks to create vibrant, accessible hubs that promote social cohesion and understanding. 

Housing: Affordable Homes for All

Housing affordability has emerged as a critical issue confronting our communities, both in Australia and internationally. As cities continue to grow and evolve, ensuring all residents have access to quality affordable housing becomes increasingly pressing. At Urbis, we are committed to addressing this complex challenge. 

 It’s not just about providing shelter; it’s about creating inclusive communities where everyone feels safe and can thrive. Affordable housing is a key component of a healthy, diverse, and sustainable city. It contributes to social stability, promotes economic diversity, and allows for the creation of vibrant, mixed-income neighbourhoods.  

PROJECTS:

Render of ECU – Lyons Architecture

ECU Mt Lawley Campus Redevelopment 

Our work with ECU provides a significant housing opportunity with the conversion of the student village. Housing diversity is a key pillar of the masterplan, ensuring integrated housing and amenity. 

Kurilpa Precinct Plan  

The Kurilpa Precinct Plan for Brisbane City Council addresses the increase in building height limits for the Kurilpa Precinct, resulting in a design framework to ensure the successful delivery of high-density residential amenity within Brisbane’s inner-city. 

AirBnB analysis 

Our team provided insights regarding the key supply and demand drivers impacting housing affordability in Australia. The findings determine that there is no strong relationship between the proportion of dwellings used as non-hosted Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) and rental affordability. 

Driving change for our cities and communities

As we reflect on the diverse range of projects undertaken by Urbis and our international team, Cistri, it’s pleasing to see our commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and housing affordability come to life – a true driving force behind our work.  

 We believe that every individual deserves to live their best life within our cities. We are actively shaping the future for communities – creating sustainable, inclusive, and affordable urban environments.  

 To explore more of our transformative projects, visit: 

 Urbis Projects 

Cistri Projects 

 

Feature image: Render of ECU by Lyons Architecture

Decarbonising Community Housing: Delivery at Scale

Gelephu Mindfulness City Economic Framework

Enabling Village Placemaking Plan

Short Term Rentals and Housing

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