Program Themes

City Economics and Development

In an era of rapid change, cities across Australasia continue seeking innovative economic development pathways. While traditional economic structures have evolved, new economic phenomena reshape how cities function and compete. This track explores urban economics through diverse analytical lenses, focusing on the policies and economic strategies that can help build resilient and sustainable city economies.

As cities face challenges ranging from labour market fluctuations to industry clustering and dispersal, this track encourages submissions that use economic tools to examine critical urban issues. It calls for papers that explore topics such as agglomeration economies, urban efficiency, economic determinants of land prices, competition between cities, and the role of government in urban economic development.

Moreover, this track seeks to advance conversations on how urban economies can adapt in the face of emerging challenges, such as climate change, digital transformation, and shifts in global trade. Submissions could cover topics like new economic models, innovation hubs, taxation and spending policies, as well as the impact of economic policy on urban equity.

This track invites papers, pre-organised panels, and theoretical provocations that address the pressing economic challenges facing Australasian cities, offering strategies to foster more inclusive and resilient economies. Papers focusing on social-spatial variation at the metropolitan scale, without a direct focus on economics, may be better suited to the City Governance and Structure track.

Potential paper might include:

The tools of economics used to analyse urban issues, such as labour market analysis, industry clustering, and economic development strategies;
The locational decisions of firms and households, agglomeration economies, and the urban economy's influence on city competition and trade;
The economic impact of government policies, including deregulation, taxation, and innovation hubs, on city development;
New economic theories and methods for urban economic inquiry, with a focus on building resilient, sustainable, and equitable urban economies.

City Governance and Structure

City governance involves navigating complex, multi-sectoral, and multi-scaled decision-making processes that shape urban landscapes and influence the lived experiences of citizens and communities. This track focuses on the evolution of governance structures and city planning across Australasia, particularly in light of growing challenges such as uneven spatial distribution of infrastructure, services, and risks.

With cities under pressure to adapt to rapid urban transitions, this track explores how governance systems, metropolitan planning, and decision-making processes are redefined to address key urban issues. From the governance of urban digitalisation to adopting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it invites papers that critically examine political power, urban finance, and public participation in city decision-making. The track also emphasises the role of governance in addressing spatial equity, residential segregation, and the disinvestment and revitalisation of urban areas.

This track extends the conversation from previous years by focusing on the structural elements of governance that shape city planning and urban management. It also explores how governance frameworks are evolving to cope with inter-urban competition, private-sector involvement in public infrastructure, and metropolitan governance reforms.

This track invites papers assessing how governance structures adapt to urban transitions and how they can better serve the goal of creating more equitable and sustainable cities. It encourages submissions that critically reflect on the challenges and opportunities of current governance practices.

Potential paper might include:

Governance of urban transitions, examining how cities are responding to uneven development, spatial inequalities, and evolving political landscapes;
The role of metropolitan planning and local government in navigating challenges such as infrastructure dislocation, disinvestment, and neighbourhood revitalization;
The impact of smart cities, digitalization, and technological advancements on urban governance, transparency, and citizen participation;
New approaches to urban democratic reform, public participation, and the adoption of global governance frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This track also encourages submissions on governance innovations, intellectual transitions in urban studies, and the renegotiation of governance structures in response to pressing issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and social justice.

City Health and Liveability

Australasian cities are increasingly focused on becoming healthier, more liveable spaces in response to challenges such as population ageing, the housing crisis, and growing health inequities. This track centres on how urban environments can promote mental health, physical well-being, and active lifestyles, recognising the essential role of urban planning and policy in fostering healthier urban communities.

Cities must prioritise mental health and active movement to improve the overall well-being of their populations. This includes addressing loneliness, sedentarism, and mental health disparities, while promoting physical activity and access to safe, green public spaces. The built environment's role in shaping health outcomes, particularly through urban design that encourages movement and social interaction, is a key focus of this track.

Submissions are encouraged to explore the connections between urban living, mental health, and physical activity, as well as strategies that cities can implement to enhance quality of life for their residents. Topics could include urban epidemiology, the influence of public spaces on mental health, and the built environment’s impact on health behaviours such as active transport and exercise. Papers highlighting how cities can mitigate the adverse effects of urban living, such as stress and isolation, through planning and policy interventions are also welcome.

This track invites papers that foster collaboration between researchers, urban planners, and public health practitioners, with the goal of creating cities that promote mental well-being and active living for all.

Potential paper might include:

Exploring how urban design can promote mental health, reduce loneliness, and encourage social interaction in city spaces;
Investigating the role of physical activity in improving urban health outcomes, including the impact of active transport, green spaces, and recreational facilities;
Examining the influence of built environment factors, such as housing and neighbourhood design, on mental and physical health;
Identifying strategies to integrate mental health support and active living principles into urban planning and public policy frameworks.

This track provides a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that mental health and active movement are central to urban planning efforts aimed at creating healthier, more liveable cities.

City Housing and Inclusion

Australasian cities are facing a severe housing crisis, characterised by unaffordable housing, rising homelessness, and an overstretched social and care infrastructure. The growing demand for crisis accommodation, alongside strained aged care, youth services, and disability support systems, highlights the urgent need for new solutions and improved housing and social care policies.

This track explores the housing emergency across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, focusing on the affordability and availability issues that cities are grappling with. It invites papers that critically examine the economic, political, and social factors contributing to the housing crisis, while also exploring the role of housing in shaping lived experiences, social justice, and inclusion. The track will also consider how care infrastructure—such as aged care, youth services, and disability support—intersects with housing challenges, exacerbating the crisis in vulnerable populations.

Submissions that propose innovative approaches to address housing affordability, homelessness, and housing policy reform are particularly encouraged. Papers that explore the economics of housing, rental markets, and social housing reforms, as well as the cultural and social dimensions of housing, are also welcome.

This track seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the housing crisis and promote collaborative efforts toward policy improvements that ensure equitable and sustainable housing solutions for all.

Potential paper might include:

Analyses of the housing affordability crisis, homelessness, and the impact on vulnerable populations in Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand cities;
Investigations into the role of social and care infrastructures, such as aged care, youth services, and disability support, in the housing crisis;
Studies of housing policy reforms, including social housing, affordable housing, and the broader housing market's influence on social equity and inclusion;
Exploration of how economic and financial factors, including rental markets, home ownership, and housing tenure, are affecting housing outcomes in cities;
Proposals for addressing the intersection of housing and care services to create more resilient and supportive urban environments.

This track offers a platform for examining the housing emergency from multiple perspectives, aiming to contribute to policy solutions that mitigate the crisis and promote more inclusive, equitable housing systems across Australasia.

City Movement and Infrastructure

Australasian cities are at a critical juncture in developing and maintaining urban infrastructure, with both expansion and reinvention underway alongside system failures. From transport networks to water systems, cities are experiencing the pressures of deferred maintenance, changing investment priorities, and the escalating impacts of the climate crisis. This track focuses on ‘hard’ urban infrastructure, including transport systems, that are essential for urban populations' health, well-being, and prosperity.

As urban systems adapt to new challenges, this track invites contributions exploring how infrastructure influences movement and urban life, particularly in the context of sustainability, resilience, and equitable access. It encourages submissions that examine a wide range of infrastructure types, including active transport, micro-mobility, public transport, roads, ports, airports, energy systems, water and sewerage infrastructure, telecommunications, and waste management. Submissions focusing on smart infrastructure, climate adaptation, and the just distribution of infrastructure services are particularly welcome.

Building on the ongoing discussion around infrastructural resilience and equity, this track provides a forum for cross-disciplinary dialogue on how cities can better plan, finance, and govern infrastructure amid economic and environmental uncertainty. The track encourages various outputs, from traditional research papers to innovative workshops and provocations exploring how infrastructure shapes urban life.

Potential paper might include:

Analysis of urban transport systems, including active transport, public transport, and micro-mobility, and their role in shaping mobility behaviours;
Exploration of energy, water, sewerage, telecommunications, and waste infrastructure, with a focus on sustainability and equitable access;
Case studies on smart infrastructure and the role of data science and analytics in shaping urban infrastructure systems;
Investigations into the political economy of infrastructure, including the funding, financing, ownership, and governance of key systems;
Studies on the impact of climate change on urban infrastructure planning, with a focus on resilience and sustainability in transport and other key networks;
Examination of the relationship between cities and their infrastructure, such as transport-and-land-use planning and airport-city interfaces.

This track aims to provide a space for researchers and practitioners to exchange ideas, deliver constructive feedback, and contribute to the development of improved urban policy and planning for Australasian cities.

Papers primarily focused on ‘soft’ infrastructure, such as greenspaces and recreational facilities, are encouraged to submit to the City Nature & Environment or City Housing and Inclusion tracks.

City Nature and Environment

Australasian cities are increasingly becoming hotspots where urbanisation pressures and nature collide, leading to biodiversity threats and environmental degradation. Integrating nature into urban environments has become more urgent in an era of climate extremes, including droughts, heatwaves, and floods. This track focuses on how cities can be planned, designed, and managed to better align with natural systems and address environmental challenges while supporting biodiversity and climate resilience.

Cities must evolve to work in harmony with nature, adopting nature-based solutions that mitigate the effects of climate change while enhancing urban ecosystems. This track emphasises the importance of socio-ecological approaches, where urban planning and design incorporate ecological health alongside human well-being. It invites submissions that explore how urban ecology, green spaces, and environmental management can transform cities into more sustainable and resilient environments.

This track encourages a holistic understanding of how urbanisation can coexist with and even enhance ecological systems by focusing on the benefits of integrating nature into urban spaces. Researchers are invited to contribute insights that address the challenges of biodiversity loss, climate adaptation, and the role of nature in improving urban life.

Potential paper might include:

Urban ecology and strategies for integrating nature into city planning to support biodiversity and ecosystem health;
Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, particularly in response to droughts, heatwaves, and floods;
The role of green cities and urban nature in enhancing human well-being and resilience, including the benefits of urban greenspaces, community gardens, and urban gardening;
Environmental planning and management strategies that prioritize ecological health and climate resilience in urban areas;
New methods for urban flora and fauna surveys and innovative approaches to monitoring biodiversity in cities;
Case studies on how Australasian cities are leading in integrating nature into urban development to address both environmental and societal challenges.

This track provides a platform for researchers and practitioners to share insights on how nature and urbanization can coexist in a mutually beneficial way. It seeks to position Australasian research on urban nature and environmental management within the global context, contributing to the broader conversation on creating liveable and ecologically sustainable cities.

City Cultures and Identity

Australasian cities are vibrant cultural mosaics where multiculturalism, pluralism, and diverse lifestyles shape the urban experience. The wide variety of subcultures found across Australasian cities—ranging from immigrant communities to creative and youth subcultures—significantly influences the broader cultural identity of urban spaces. These subcultures, alongside the traditions and practices of diverse populations, contribute to the complex and dynamic nature of urban life, driving cultural change and shaping how cities evolve.

This track explores the intersections of culture, architecture, and urban design, focusing on how these elements respond to and reflect the diversity of modern urban life. As cities grapple with social, economic, and environmental changes, these urban environments' cultural practices and narratives play a pivotal role in shaping their responses and transitions. This track encourages contributions that examine how multiculturalism and diversity are expressed in city spaces and how these cultural dynamics influence urban planning, architecture, and public life.

Expanding on the previous themes, this track particularly emphasises how architecture, urban design, and public spaces interact with cultural pluralism and diversity. It invites discussions on how subcultures, artistic practices, and community expressions within Australian cities inform broader urban identities and contribute to the ongoing evolution of city cultures.

Potential paper might include:

Multiculturalism and pluralism in Australasian cities, exploring how diverse communities and lifestyles shape urban spaces;
The role of architecture and urban design in accommodating and representing cultural diversity and subcultural expressions;
Studies of subcultures, nightlife, and community movements as key influences on urban transformation and identity;
Exploration of indigenous cultural narratives and their intersection with urban multiculturalism and design;
Cultural planning and its role in promoting inclusivity, creativity, and diversity in urban development;
Preservation, conservation, and adaptive reuse as strategies for maintaining cultural heritage while fostering diversity and innovation in city spaces;
Investigations into how pluralism and social innovations influence the urban lifestyle and public engagement with the built environment.

This track offers a platform for cross-disciplinary dialogue, connecting culture, diversity, and urban design to explore how multiculturalism and subcultural practices contribute to the shaping of vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic city identities.

City Design and Morphology

Urban design in Australasian cities is at a critical juncture, with established paradigms being challenged by new realities, including shifting cultural values, changing work patterns, and the urgent need to adapt to climate change. Traditionally dominated by the compact city model, which emphasises medium-to-high residential density supported by mixed-use development, urban design is now evolving in response to new pressures and emerging opportunities.

One key area of focus is densification, particularly the exploration of the "missing middle"— to bridge the gap between high-rise, high-density developments and urban sprawl. This track examines how urban design can accommodate increasing densities while maintaining a high quality of urban spaces that promote liveability, inclusivity, and resilience. The quality of public spaces, streetscapes, and the built environment is critical in fostering a sense of community and addressing the complexities of urban living.

Urban morphology research also plays an important role in understanding how cities evolve over time, providing insights into how the physical form of cities can be shaped to meet future demands. By challenging established urban design paradigms, this track encourages new approaches that question the cultural appropriateness of imported models and seek alternatives better suited to contemporary Australasian contexts.

This track invites contributions that engage with these emerging themes, encouraging a rethinking of urban design in a post-pandemic world. It provides a platform to explore how design can respond to cities' evolving needs while promoting sustainability, resilience, and cultural appropriateness.

Potential paper might include:

The role of densification in urban design, with a focus on the "missing middle" and its implications for housing affordability and diversity;
The quality of urban spaces and public realms in fostering liveability and community well-being;
Urban morphology research that explores the historical and future development of urban forms and their implications for design;
Critiques of established urban design paradigms, particularly the compact city model, and proposals for new design approaches suited to Australasian contexts;
The impact of climate change on urban design, with a focus on resilience and adaptability in the face of environmental uncertainties;
Design innovations that challenge conventional practices and offer new models for sustainable and equitable city planning.

This track encourages submissions that push the boundaries of urban design thinking, incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives and innovative solutions to the complex challenges facing Australasian cities today.

Reckoning with Settler Colonial Cities

Australasian cities were established through the imposition of the British colonial template, built on predefined layouts and logic that disregarded and overruled the existing settlement patterns of Indigenous peoples. This reliance on foreign models has persisted, with urban planning frameworks often borrowed from cultures and climates vastly different from ours. The legacy of these colonial cities remains embedded in the structure, layout, and social fabric of today’s suburbs. Progressing toward post-colonial cities requires thoughtful reflection on blending Indigenous knowledge of the landscape with the needs of a diverse, multicultural society while addressing the pressing challenges of sustainable development.

This track invites reflections on how cities can move forward, balancing the need to acknowledge past injustices with the optimism of creating cities that respect Indigenous knowledge, adopt a multicultural perspective, and provide spaces of belonging for all residents. The role of Indigenous knowledge in managing and caring for our territories is crucial to fostering sustainable urban futures that address modern challenges such as climate change, spatial inequality, and environmental degradation.

Focusing on the potential for reconciliation and co-governance, this track explores how post-colonial cities can evolve to include Indigenous voices, build partnerships, and create meaningful collaborations. It encourages submissions that offer innovative ideas on how cities can foster well-being, equity, and a shared sense of identity among Indigenous peoples, settlers, and recent arrivals.

Potential paper might include:

Pathways for reconciliation in urban planning and design, building a shared future based on mutual respect and understanding;
The role of Indigenous knowledge and practices in sustainable urban management, particularly in addressing environmental challenges and land management;
Case studies on co-governance and partnerships that enhance Indigenous leadership in city-making and resource management;
Stories of cities creating spaces of belonging and well-being, with a focus on positive collaborations between Indigenous communities and settlers;
Reflections on how cities can honour shared memories while shaping a bright, inclusive urban future.

This track seeks to foster a forward-looking dialogue, where the legacies of settler-colonialism are acknowledged, but the focus remains on reconciliation and creating thriving, resilient cities for all.

Program Themes

City Economics and Development

City Governance and Structure

City Health and Liveability

City Housing and Inclusion

City Movement and Infrastructure

City Nature and Environment

City Cultures and Identity

City Design and Morphology

Reckoning with Settler Colonial Cities

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