Welcome

SOAC 2025 enquires how urban planning, design and policy address current challenges and global trends in urbanism with a focus on legacy, long-term sustainability, and innovation.

The interplay between global dynamics and local challenges presents a critical juncture for Australasian cities and regional centres. Phenomena such as climate change, pandemics, conflict, economic downturns, and political volatility are not merely external factors but are directly augmenting the complexity of local issues. These include environmental sustainability, urban sprawland transportation, housing affordability and homelessness, population growth and demographic shifts, the preservation and integration of indigenous communities and knowledge, economic diversification and employment, and addressing the digital divide and connectivity. These challenges necessitate a departure from reactive policies towards a more proactive and integrated approach to urban and regional planning.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australasian Cities Research Network (ACRN) acknowledges the Turrbal and Yugara as the First Nations owners of the lands where the host venue (QUT) now stands. We pay respect to their Elders, lores, customs and creation spirits. We recognise that these lands have always been places of teaching, research, and learning. ACRN acknowledges the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the ACRN community.

SOAC Objectives

The objectives of the conference are manifold:

• To investigate interdisciplinary research that challenges conventional lifestyles, design practices, and urbanism.
• To foster dialogue on innovative strategies that promote sustainable city-making, community participation, transparent governance, and a forward-thinking understanding of urban life.
• To develop guidelines that inform and manage changes in urban structure, economic systems, professional practices, and governance.

About Australasian Cities Research Network

The Australasian Cities Research Network (ACRN) was initially known as the Australian Sustainable Cities and Regions Network when it was first established in the early 2000s. The network’s fundamental aim is to promote, foster, champion, and disseminate research relevant to Australasian cities and regions. This is achieved via various activities and in particular the State of Australasian Cities (SOAC) Conference which has been running since 2003 when the inaugural conference was held in Sydney.

Membership of the ACRN is open to all those engaged in research which is relevant to Australasian cities and regions.

The ACRN Committee is made up of academics from Australia and New Zealand who volunteer their time to support and promote Australasian urban research activities including PhD and ECR networks, and to oversee the continuation of the SOAC conference and to lend advice and assistance to the host local organising committee.

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