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Cities reshaped by capital, policy, and design insights
Belinda Coates and Michael Bleby discuss reshaping Australian cities through planning, development, and learning from global examples
Belinda Coates and Michael Bleby discuss reshaping Australian cities through planning, development, and learning from global examples
– Belinda Coates and Michael Bleby discuss the impact of capital and planning on Australian cities’ futures.
– They emphasise the necessity for long-term planning and lessons from international urban development successes.
Belinda Coates, host of The Connector, spoke with Michael Bleby, deputy property editor at the Australian Financial Review, about how Australian cities are being reshaped by capital, policy, design, and global ambition.
They highlighted a major disconnect between developer goals and community needs, with Docklands cited as a cautionary example of prioritising profit over proper planning. Long-term vision is crucial, they argued, contrasting Australia’s short-term approach with the U.K.’s century-long plans and New Zealand’s 1,000-year thinking.
Bleby noted that Australia’s skyline is shaped more by money than individuals—a “what rather than a who.” International examples, like Tokyo’s $13 billion Shibuya Station overstation project, show how transit hubs can drive medium-density development. Victoria’s level crossing removals, by contrast, were initially transport-focused rather than mixed-use, showing room for broader planning.
The future of office spaces was also discussed: core CBD offices remain strong, but suburban offices will need to compete harder, with people going only if they “feel a need to go.” Finally, the Brisbane Olympics presents a chance to boost skills, construction productivity, and infrastructure for Southeast Queensland’s growing population.
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