Do Sydneysiders act like noisy galahs?

A recent holiday to Japan had me thinking about Australian birds. Big, noisy birds such as cockatoos, kookaburras and crows. … More

Why is Sydney enjoying the high life?

There was a time when high-rise buildings were the natural enemy of community activists. They were practically seen as the … More

The taxi trick that makes cities “appy”

If Sydney is going to become a more sustainable city that reduces its reliance on the private motor car, then … More

Should we create a ‘Capital City Super Region’?

Sydney and Canberra are the Jekyll and Hyde of city planning. Canberra is an idyllic, orderly public service city where … More

Does rugby league help us plan Sydney?

THE sight of more than 16,000 fans crammed into a soggy and bedraggled Leichhardt Oval in early April confirmed that Sydney … More

Pop-up shops: are they the solution or problem?

Soon after it first opened in 2000, the Italian Forum development was a thriving part of Leichhardt which featured an … More

Are granny flats a housing solution?

Sydney property owners are making big money out of their backyards, with the number of granny flats and new dual … More

From factories to frappes: sad job loss sites help urban renewal

Remember how clothing manufacturer Bonds created a collective national black mood in 2009 by announcing it would shut down its … More

Can today’s planners write plain English?

Although it may be hard to believe now, there was a time when town planning in Australia had celebrity status. … More

High-rise has always had its NIMBYs

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the phrase ‘NIMBY’ – meaning a ‘Not in My Backyard’ resident activist – first appeared … More