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This paper categorises and compares the policy frameworks that have encouraged higher density urban renewal in Sydney and Perth since the mid-2000s, which reflect the &#x2018.compact city’ model that has become international urban planning orthodoxy. The policies can be grouped into four broad categories: (i) metropolitan strategies; (ii) transport and infrastructure plans; (iii) legislation creating development corporations; and (iv) planning system reforms. By comparing these policies, the paper identifies some key similarities and differences in how the compact city model has been adopted in Sydney and Perth. The most significant similarities are the changing power relationships reshaping urban planning and governance, and the ongoing challenges of integrating land-use and transport planning. The paper concludes with some brief commentary on the challenge these two issues pose for the next decade of compact planning, particularly for strategic planning bodies like the Greater Sydney Commission and the Western Australian Planning Commission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strata title was introduced in Australia over 50 years ago and offered a legal mechanism for space to be vertically subdivided and traded. Importantly, it allowed individualised property rights to be applied to multi-unit housing. In New South Wales, recent changes to the Strata Scheme Development Act allow termination of strata schemes with less than unanimous support of owners. A central feature of the discussion surrounding the implementation of these changes was to question the rights associated with ownership of strata. This paper presents findings from key-informant interviews undertaken in the lead up to the reforms to the NSW legislation governing strata termination. Analysis of these interviews demonstrates the complex ways in which property rights are understood in relation to strata termination within the broader context of housing. This paper argues that successful implementation of the new legislation impacting upon property rights in strata will require concerted engagement with wider social concepts and understanding of housing within the Australian community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia has some of the lowest density cities in the world. However, in recent years the more compact city has become the orthodoxy of state capital city planning. Since 2000, long-range metropolitan strategies have been produced, planning the compact city. But in every state, each has been replaced by another one within a few years, frequently with different provisions. The metropolitan planning process is seen as in transition from the previous task emphasizing urban expansion to planning the compact city. Progress is patchy and uncertain, which in part explains the frequent replacement of plans. But this review suggests there are perhaps more important underlying reasons which may eventually lead to a modified style of metropolitan plan-making. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In Australian academic, statistical and planning sources, the portrayal of dwelling density is often unclear. This article questions its relation with dwelling structure as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS') STRD classification. The enquiry uncovers homogenous concentrations of individual classes of dwellings in Australian metropolises from which density measures based on current market acceptance and physical build out are estimated. Speculation attends the highest dwelling density which cities could support, as well as a concept of climax density based on a contraction of dwelling size. The study concludes that the ABS classification relates in some measure to achieved dwelling density but, adjusted, could offer further guidance. Several broader policy angles emerge from the project, concerning first-mover advantage, planning gain, the national lifestyle and the congruence of visions in strategic planning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Climate change and higher transport energy prices are now pressing urban policy issues and increasing attention is being directed to the capacity of metropolitan planning to overcome these challenges. For the past two decades Australian metropolitan plans have focused on urban consolidation as a means of reducing transport energy demand. Transport energy dependence is highest in outer and fringe suburban areas. But the structure of urban housing markets means the capacity of current Australian urban planning policies to achieve consolidation objectives in middle and outer areas is highly constrained, especially if the delivery of density gains is delegated to the private sector. The article contends that current planning policies which rely on urban consolidation therefore have limited potential to produce significant transport emission reductions in suburbia. Such policies also risk generating socially inequitable distributional outcomes given higher transport fuel costs from an emissions trading scheme or higher global oil prices. The article calls for a comprehensive rethink of current metropolitan transport, urban planning and suburban development models to achieve reductions in transport energy dependence in the middle and outer suburban areas of Australian cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]