Urban Systems Transformation - Australian Capital Territory

Sustainable Australian Cities and Communities

Australian cities and communities are facing a massive period of transformation and opportunity. The trajectory of these cities and communities will have a huge impact on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. To ensure that this impact is positive, it is essential that relevant knowledge is co-produced and harnessed to inform the decisions impacting on urban transformation.

In March 2018, Future Earth Australia adopted ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’ as a priority focus area. On 25 May 2018, cross-disciplinary researchers from across Australia were brought together by FEA to begin envisioning how knowledge could support Australia’s transformation to sustainable urban systems.

A key outcome of the symposium was the consensus that FEA lead a nationwide process of engaging stakeholders from research, policy, practice and the community. This consultative process developed a strategic approach to improving the knowledge cycle underpinning the sustainable development of Australia’s cities and communities over the coming decades.

On 19 November 2018, Future Earth Australia held the third in a series of national workshops in Canberra. This document summarises discussions grouped under the following workshop themes: urban visioning initiatives and pathways; collaborative governance and decision-making; stakeholder and community engagement; and coproduced knowledge development, usage and learning.