The Next Australian City : The Suburban Evolution, edited by Guy Gibson and Ross Elliott

The Next Australian City : The Suburban Evolution,

edited by Guy Gibson and Ross Elliott

Paperback, 300 pages, $39.95

ISBN: 9781923224056

Release date: May 2024

Dive into the heart of Australia’s suburban landscape with ‘Suburban Futures.’ In this groundbreaking collection of essays, we challenge prevailing misconceptions surrounding suburbia, shedding light on its integral role in shaping our cities and communities.

For decades, suburbs have been unfairly stigmatised, dismissed as inferior to centralised urban hubs. Yet, as Australians continue to embrace suburban living, it’s clear that this preference reflects a diverse and evolving urban tapestry. From post-World War II sprawl to the rise of a new suburbanism, our cities are in a constant state of flux, driven by economic shifts and changing work patterns.

Through international and local perspectives, ‘Suburban Futures’ offers a comprehensive exploration of the forces shaping our urban landscapes. From the role of suburbs in the global economy to the nuances of contemporary development across Australian states and territories, this collection provides invaluable insights into the past, present, and future of suburbia.

Assembled by Suburban Futures, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of suburban dynamics, this book serves as a vital resource for policymakers, urban planners, and anyone invested in the future of our cities. Join us in reimagining the possibilities for Australian suburbs and fostering informed, inclusive discussions about our urban future.

Suburban Futures is a not-for-profit collaboration of individuals and organisations established to highlight the critical role that Australia’s suburbs and regions play in the economy, vibrancy and liveability of the nation.

Our advocacy is built on an evidence-based platform of commissioned research, global insights and shared public policy and market intelligence.

Table of Contents

1 The Evolution of Suburban Planning in Australia - Robert Freestone

2 Everywhere and Nowhere: The Contradictions of Australian Suburbia - Paul Burton

3 Killing the Dream Worldwide - Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox

4 Land Use and Transportation Dynamics in Modern Cities - Peter Gordon

5 Neighbourhood Essentials – the Importance of Local Shops and Services in New Suburbs - Robin Goodman and Annette Kroen

6 The Master Planned Community: Time for a Drastic Re-think - Peter Walters

7 Enabling Australia’s Next City - George Wilkinson III

8 The Canadian Suburban Experience: Sprawl is Bad. So Why do We Keep Building It? - Antony P. Lorius and Laura E. Taylor

9 The Regulation of Residential Development in New South Wales - Gary A Shiels AM

10 Contemporary Suburban Development in Victoria - Peter Seamer

11 The Queensland Suburb: A Singular Vision - Laurel Johnson and Stephanie Wyeth

12 Suburban Development Through a WA Lens - Ray Haeren

13 Suburban South Australia - John Stimson

14 Suburban Development in Hobart, Tasmania – Past, Present, and Future – Jason Byrne, Sebastian D. Rossi, Emma Riley

15 Planning and Development in Canberra - Malcolm Smith, Mike Quirk and David Wright

16 Healing Darwin in the Post-COVD Era - Michele Lobo

17 Autonomous Cars Are About To Transform The Suburbs- Joel Kotkin and Alan M. Berger

18 Technology and the Suburbs: Exploring the Multilevel Spatial Divide in the National Broadband Network - Tooran Alizadeh, Edward Helderop, Tony Grubesic, Richard Ferrers

19 Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Strategies for Urgent Challenges - June Williamson and Ellen Dunham-Jones 

20 Trends Shaping the Future of Australian (Sub)Urbanisation - Jason Byrne