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The UN-Habitat program released the ‘World Cities Report 2020 - The Value of Sustainable Urbanization’ in early November 2020. The stated aim of the UN-Habitat is ‘to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities’ and to promote ‘urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.’ The Report supports that ‘well-planned, managed, and financed cities and towns create economic, social, environmental and other unquantifiable value that can vastly improve the quality of life of all.’ Findings from the Report can inform the sustainable development of Australian cities; improving economic, social and environmental outcomes, and strengthening urban governance arrangements whilst embracing digital transformation.

Cities are at the forefront of innovation, and urban policies can contribute to the transition to a more sustainable economy. Whilst Australian cities are among the most prosperous and liveable in the world, their continued success is dependent on how widely that success is enjoyed and on how challenges, like the transition to sustainable, single planet living, and providing access to quality, affordable housing close to employment and services, are managed. The Report highlights the potential of sustainable and inclusive urban economies to ensure prosperity and opportunities for all. This can be achieved through leveraging the agglomeration benefits of cities and ensuring productive employment through decent jobs for all and equal access to economic resources and opportunities. To unlock the economic value of sustainable urbanisation the Report suggests pursuing strategies that increase the supply of affordable housing and reduce commuting distances by providing housing close to employment centres and public transport.

The Report supports that ‘well-planned, managed, and financed cities and towns create economic, social, environmental and other unquantifiable value that can vastly improve the quality of life of all.’

Australian cities have grown rapidly, extending the built environment into former greenfield sites, increasing the consumption of natural resources and creating the need for better urban amenity in densifying built-up areas. Despite these environmental challenges, sustainable urbanisation can contribute to building more resilient cities. This can include urban policies encouraging energy innovation, sustainable settlement patterns, resource efficiencies and changes in human lifestyles, which also can also improve people’s health and wellbeing. The Report points to ways the environmental value of cities can be enhanced and strengthened through nature-based solutions, such as protecting soil and increasing biodiversity through land restoration and agro-forestry.

Developing liveable and healthy places is pursued by urban policies for Australian cities. AHURI’s Strategic Agenda raises the question, how can urban form, built environment and social infrastructure better support wellbeing and social inclusion? Sustainable urbanisation can improve the social outcomes for all residents, including marginalized and vulnerable groups to have equal opportunities and access to resources, services, and goods. The Report presents principles to ensure ‘the right to the city’ by promoting gender inclusive programmes, supporting children’s development, creating age-friendly cities, and enabling the inclusion of migrants. The Report recommends an equitable urban policy approach that, for instance, provides affordable housing to ensure that residents are not displaced from their neighbourhoods due to gentrification.

Sustainable urbanisation can improve the social outcomes for all residents, including marginalized and vulnerable groups to have equal opportunities and access to resources, services, and goods.

Australia’s cities are subject to multiple levels of government, with responsibilities and roles divided between the federal, state or territory and local governments. Despite local governments in Australia having direct responsibility for implementing planning decisions and the direct delivery of services to citizens, they have limited decision-making and fiscal autonomy. Yet, the Report highlights their importance of implementing sustainable urbanisation. It also proposes more effective coordination mechanisms between national and local governments, multi-level and metropolitan governance frameworks and participatory planning approaches to involve local actors and residents more closely.

Potential for Australian cities

Technological innovation and digital transformation is occurring rapidly, changing the functioning of Australian cities. To harness the potential of new technologies, policies need to consider the equity in access to high-speed internet and digital devices and pro-actively shape regulatory frameworks . Sustainable urbanisation can profit from innovative technologies through increased environmental and other information from urban monitoring, collecting big data and providing data available to the public. The Report recommends governance and planning arrangements to correspond with technological innovation, develop smart cities that are people-oriented and ensure access to technology.

The UN-Habitat Report and other international policy frameworks have the potential to strengthen national, state and local government responses to addressing emerging global challenges and to transition urban policies in Australia. These approaches offer a strategic opportunity for Australian cities to achieve more equitable, inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

In 2020, AHURI launched the Strategic Cities Research Agenda—the next step in the development of a National Cities Research Program.