Creating Great Cities
“Improved higher education offer, transport options and innovation profiles. These qualities have helped Brisbane to cement its credentials as a New World City that has the quality and platform to attract investors, talent and visitors,” stated Professor Greg Clark.
The Property Council’s ground-breaking new research, Creating Great Australian Cities, is intended to stimulate debate about the future of our cities, improve public understanding of the issues at stake, and help governments make good decisions for the future.
Professor Greg Clark, Chair of UK’s The Business of Cities, presented the findings at the Property Council’s Creating Great Australian Cities lunch, held on Friday 25 May, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The lunch formed part of a national roadshow of launch events supported by Urbis, with Professor Clark presenting his research findings in capital cities around the country.
The research findings identify Brisbane as within the top 40 best performing cities in the world. Professor Clark pointed to the experience of Miami, as a pattern for Brisbane to emulate to continue progressing and establish itself as a great global city.
“The private-sector led initiative had the effect of transforming Miami into a trade, investment and business hub, and an art and culture destination,” Professor Clark said.
In order to strengthen its position as a New World City, Brisbane needs to focus on securing a South East Queensland City Deal, commit further investment in infrastructure, develop a strong focus on place-making and establish a higher level of trust between the private sector and government and different tiers within government, explained Professor Clark.
Following Professor Clark’s presentation, a panel discussion was moderated by the Property Council of Australia’s Queensland Executive Director, Chris Mountford, and featured: James Tuma, National Director of Urbis; Andrew Hay, Development Director and Investment Manager for Lendlease; and Dy Currie, Chief Planner at Brisbane City Council.
James Tuma supported Clark’s explanation of a low trust equilibrium, between the private sector and government.
“There is a high expectation in Australia that government will solve all problems,” added Clark. This needs to be addressed for Brisbane to flourish on a world stage.
Andrew Hay reinforced the need for a South East Queensland City Deal and further investment in infrastructure.
Ultimately, the panellists concluded that Brisbane is already headed into positive changes, with different levels of government investing in major infrastructure projects such as Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro, along with a number of major city-shaping private sector projects underway.
The Property Council of Australia would like to thank Professor Clark, James, Andrew and Dy for taking the time to discuss important findings of the research, along with National Launch Partner, Urbis, and Event Sponsor, Brisbane City Council.
Thank you also to the many policy-makers, thinkers and business people who contributed to the development of this research.
Photos from the event can be found here.
Further information on the Creating Great Australian Cities research can be accessed below:
National Launch Partner:
Event Sponsor:
