Director's update 

As Australian cities and regions adjust to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader economic and environmental uncertainty, the role of university-based research and expertise is more important than ever.  So, it’s a great pleasure to announce several new funding awards designed to build cross disciplinary research capacity and collaboration within and beyond the University.

• Dr Ang Li and Dr Niranjika Wijesooriya-Gunarathne, who have both been awarded funding to translate their doctoral research for broader policy and practice communities under our new Post Doctorate Research Translation Scheme
• Dr Dallas Rogers and a team of scholars across geography, political economy, architecture and planning who will rollout a program on the value of housing with funding through our Research Seminar and Publication Scheme
• Lucy Fokkema from NSW Health, who is our new Practitioner in Residence and will undertake a project on health precinct planning and housing.

I’m also delighted to launch the Henry Halloran Trust Urban Opinion Project with Dr Elizabeth Farrelly leading the program as our inaugural Writer in Residence program. Many will know Dr Farrelly for her influential and insightful writing and architectural criticism, including her widely acclaimed book ‘Killing Sydney’. Over the course of the year, Dr Farrelly will be rolling out an exciting range of publication and teaching programs designed to leverage the University’s cross disciplinary expertise to inform urban and regional policy.

The devastation wrought by the recent floods in north eastern NSW has again highlighted the lack of planning for the increasing incidence and impact of extreme weather events anticipated under climate change. Following the 2020 summer bushfires, both emergencies have underscored the urgent need to progress transitions which embed community resilience and decarbonise decarbonise the economy and the built environment and wider economy.

On 16 May, the Henry Halloran Trust and the University’s Research Portfolio held a workshop for researchers with expertise relevant to flood response, recovery and resilience planning efforts across the fields of health, urban planning, architecture and housing, engineering, environmental science and law, social policy and organisational management. The workshop was attended by researchers from Southern Cross University as well as representatives from state government and is intended as a first step towards ongoing collaboration. Our submission to the NSW Independent Flood Inquiry can be found on our publication page. 

Finally, please Save the Date for our 2022 Festival of Future Urbanism:  13 – 23 September. This year, we’ll ask how our future cities and regions will change, and what interventions are needed to address the mistakes of the past. As Festival of Urbanism audiences have come to expect, the program will include a diverse range of speakers prepared to challenge the status quo and provoke informed debate. 

This year we’re excited to be returning to face to face events at the wonderful Chau Chak Wing Museum plus live streaming for those unable to attend in person. Please sign up to our newsletter and follow us on social media for program and registration updates.

Professor Nicole Gurran

SAVE THE DATE: Festival of Future Urbanism 13-23 September 2022 

The 9th Festival of Urbanism asks how our future cities and regions will change, and what interventions are needed to address the mistakes of the past. From reinstating the voices of First Nations’ communities, to transitioning to zero carbon models of development and ensuring affordable homes for the many rather than rising housing wealth for the few, this year’s Festival of Urbanism engages with a wide range of topics through a combination of live and online events, podcasts and films. With diverse speakers and thought leaders from academia, industry, policy and advocacy communities, discussions at the 2022 Festival of Future Urbanism promise to inform, challenge and inspire. Join us to debate and define opportunities to bring about better urban and regional futures.

In the media 

29 June, 2022: Australia's census, ABC News Professor Nicole Gurran quoted on the impacts of high-rise living.

20 June, 2022: ABC Life Matters Interview with Dr Cameron Murray on the impacts of dumping stamp duty on Australia’s housing crisis.

17 June, 2022: The Guardian quoted Dr Cameron Murray on the property cycle.

17 May, 2022: ABC 7.30 interviewed Professor Nicole Gurran for a special report on housing affordability.

16 May, 2022: Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Cameron Murray published an opinion piece on superannuation and home ownership.

15 May, 2022: ABC News interviewed Professor Nicole Gurran on Airbnb, short-stay rentals, housing impacts, and regulation.

12 May, 2022: Community Radio Skid Row Professor Nicole discusses the housing crisis in Australia, and political responses.

11 May, 2022: The Sydney Morning Herald (syndicated across Nine Publishing) quoted Professor Gurran in a story on access to homes reserved for new home buyers. 

9 May, 2022: ABC Late Night Live interviewed Professor Nicole about ideas to fix Australia’s housing crisis.

5 May, 2022: The Sydney Morning Herald (syndicated across Nine Publishing) quoted Professor Nicole Gurran about policies for assisting aspiring homebuyers.

3 May, 2022: 7 News interviewed Dr Cameron Murray on the impacts of interest rate increases.

2 May, 2022: The Sydney Morning Herald (syndicated across Nine Publishing), an op-ed by Professor Nicole Gurran about housing policies in the lead up to the Federal election.

2 May, 2022: Sky News interviewed Professor Nicole Gurran on Australian housing policy.

1 May, 2022: Guardian Australia interviewed Dr Cameron Murray on housing policy promises.

We acknowledge the tradition of custodianship and law of the Country on which the University of Sydney campuses stand. We pay our respects to those who have cared and continue to care for Country.