Urban Development

Urban development is as much about what we can see - streets, pathways, houses, parks, reserves, roads and landscaping - as what we can not see - utilities and drainage, strategic planning and policy, safety and sustainability.

What are the conditions that allow for sustainable urban development and, more particularly, social sustainability?  In a recent global urban study by the World Bank highlighted four key trends which need to be considered when addressing this question

• Urbanisation will define this century: for the first time in history, more than half the world's population lives in urban areas.
• Rapid urbanisation, if not well managed, will increase poverty: cities need to prepare to absorb the demographic growth to minimise the systemic disadvantage.
• Closer collaboration is required: urbanisation is not exclusively a challenge for cities. Addressing the new urban agenda will require cooperation across all levels of government.
• Properly managed urbanisation can help climate change agenda: Today, an estimated 70 percent of greenhouse gases emissions come from cities. The design of denser, more compact cities can result in more energy efficient cities, and also reduce travel time and costs for urban residents and businesses.

To achieve genuinely sustainable urban development we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  With most Australians choosing to live in urban areas, the design, planning and management of urban spaces is becoming vitally important to the way we live, socialise and relate to our environment.

 Whether you are owners, developers or managers for a new city, residential estate or subdivision, Capire can help by:

• Providing baseline, social, community needs and impact research
• Integrating community / stakeholder aspirations into the design and development process
• Aligning the development with sustainability principles
• Creating a community development project culture