Conde Library: Sydney Science Park: Urban Development

How can Sydney Science Park

Be respectful to country and prioritise nature-based solutions, to improve existing natural systems and restore native and riparian vegetation?
Be guided and informed by local First Nations people, enable their connection, and utilise their cultural knowledge and practice to care for Country?
Reduce the impact on aviation or the operation of the airport with regard to light emission and reflective surfaces?
Use placemaking to create a vibrant and inclusive city?
Integrate art and music into the design of the city?

Governement entity for Urban development

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) - Planning
The Planning branch of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure helps design and create thriving communities, towns and cities for the people of NSW. They work to ensure jobs, infrastructure and housing are delivered sustainably with environmental protection at front mind.

General Resources - Urban Development

World Wildlife Fund - Urban nature-based solutions
WWF supports the implementation of urban nature-based solutions for nature and people. Nature must be at the heart of our cities: the places we work, play and engage. Urban nature-based solutions address multiple challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss, disaster risk, water and food security, human health and socio-economic development.
RMIT - Improving urban design to bring nature back into our cities
Bringing nature back into our cities to benefit the environment and human health and wellbeing is the focus of research led by RMIT’s Professor Sarah Bekessy.
UTS - Green Infrastructure Lab
In an era of rapid urbanisation, our cities grapple with challenges like climate change, a decline in biodiversity, increasing in-equality, and resource scarcity. Green Infrastructure addresses these issues head on by harnessing the power of nature.
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute - Voicing First Nations Country, culture and community in urban policy
Current approaches to engaging First Nations peoples in urban policy and planning are placing an unreasonable and unsustainable burden, especially on Traditional Custodians, new AHURI research finds. A change of relationship with Traditional Custodians and a rethinking of current engagement approaches could create a more responsible process.
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute - Incorporating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the development of Australian cities
This Brief on ‘Indigenous perspectives’ addresses the way metropolitan planning strategies and reports by the infrastructure bodies consider Indigenous Australians and calls for a more nuanced integration of Indigenous perspectives in urban policies.
SBS - Country-led design in Australian cities: what is it and why does it matter? [podcast]
Country is the term at the heart of Australian Indigenous heritage and continuing practices. The environments we are part of, carry history spanning tens of thousands of years of First Nations presence, culture, language, and connection to all living beings. So, how should architects, government bodies and creative practitioners interact with Indigenous knowledge when designing our urban surroundings?
Partnering with First Nations communities in city and regional planning: an international review
Contemporary city planning is now attempting to recognise the invaluable knowledge and custodianship of First Nations communities and incorporating that into planning processes moving forward. Partnering with First Nations Communities in City and Regional Planning is an international review of inclusion of Indigenous peoples and perspectives in regional planning.
Western Sydney Airport - Airport safeguarding
The safety of aircraft operations to and from Western Sydney, and the capacity of the airport to operate and respond to growing demand, can be directly impacted by inappropriate land use and activities that occur on the land surrounding the airport.
The Conversation - Nature and shops: here’s what people told us they want most from urban planning
An article reporting on a national survey conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand to find out what amenities people want to have easy access to, how much time they prefer to spend getting there, and how this differs between different groups in the population.
Negar Yazdi: City Art and Urban Planning
In this article, Negar Yazdi – an urban planner recently honoured as the 2022 Australian Capital Territory Young Planner of the Year with over nine years of experience in shaping cities across various countries – provides insights into the close relationship between city art and the research field and practice of Urban Planning and Design.

Case Studies

Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan
The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) supports growth in Western Sydney until 2056 and beyond. The CPCP supports the delivery of housing, jobs and infrastructure while protecting important biodiversity, including threatened plants and animals.
Los Angeles International Airport - Light Emissions
Light emissions analysis for the Los Angeles airport's 2004 Master Plan Program.
Tactical urbanism: Fish Lane
Over the coming decade, investment in infrastructure and urbanisation will see the form and operation of Australian cities change dramatically as whole precincts and neighbourhoods are adjusted. Who will drive that change and what can we expect? Each city has its own methods, and Fish Lane is one example of such change, Brisbane-style.
Three Case Studies Intersecting Sustainability, Public Art, And Urban Planning
This study looks into the role of public art in the urban design process, seeking to provide insights as to how public art can intentionally be used in the urban design system to achieve the goal of sustainability. Looks at programs in Brussels, Vancouver, and Singapore.
Wonderwalls in Wollongong
Transforming a regional city: recognising the potential of a street art festival to drive lasting change.
Case studies
Case studies chosen by the Planning branch of the NSW Government that demonstrate the value and beneficial outcomes that come from good design processes.

Government Resources

Planning - Supporting Aboriginal people in Planning
NSW Government is committed to embedding Aboriginal perspectives in planning and design.
Western Sydney Aerotropolis – Explanation of Intended Effect
This Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) provides an overview and background into the proposed
amendments to several State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) relating to the Western
Sydney Aerotropolis.
Department of Transport and Planning - PPN96: Glare and reflectivity
Guidance about the planning considerations for reflected sunlight glare in the built environment.
Planning - Placemaking NSW
Placemaking NSW helps to strengthen the connection between these places and the people that share them, in turn generating significant community, environmental and economic benefits for the people of NSW. The NSW Public Spaces Charter shares 10 principles for quality public space.

CSIRO

CSIRO - Greening Western Sydney: An Urban Forest strategy for Sydney Science Park
Urban forests are essential to the climate resilience of our cities. With a bold ambition to achieve a 40% tree canopy coverage, the Vision for the Sydney Science Park (SSP) sets the stage for a greener, more resilient future for Western Sydney, consistent with the Aerotropolis planning framework.