Author(s)

D. A. White

Abstract

Green Square is a major urban renewal project by the City of Sydney which will transform an older industrial area (80 hectares) into a major centre comprising residential, employment, and community uses and open space. The Green Square project forms part of a key objective in Sustainable Sydney 2030 to provide an additional population of 40,000 people and 20,000 jobs by 2030. The city is providing a new town centre that also contributes to a sustainable Sydney in accordance with Sustainable Sydney 2030.

The paper investigates the past and present challenges in providing a new town centre within an existing urban area and how these have been overcome. Challenges include flooding, traffic and transport, infrastructure funding, fragmented land ownerships, climate change and place making. The paper identifies and appraises the various planning mechanisms that were applied to encourage developers and the state government to partner in the city’s vision. These include planning agreements, town centre plans; development rights schemes, infrastructure measures and working with government.

This paper identifies how the city is contributing to the renewal process by developing sustainable infrastructure, implementing water recycling, civic buildings and introducing place making initiatives to transform Green Square into a vibrant area to live and work.

Keywords

city, sustainability, redevelopment, renewal, government