<p>Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.</p>

<p>Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]</p>

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

<p>Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.</p>

<p>Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.</p>

<p>Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]</p>

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

<p>Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.</p>

<p>David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.</p>

<p>“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]</p>

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

<p>While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.</p>

<p>Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;</p>


Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.</p>

<p>The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.</p>

<p>Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.</p>

<p>“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.</p>

<p>“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”</p>

<p><img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" /></p>

<p>Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.</p>

<p>The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.</p>

<p>“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.</p>

<p>“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”</p>

<p><img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" /></p>

<p>Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.</p>

<p>“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.</p>

<p>The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.</p>

<p>“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”</p>

<p>The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.</p>

<p>The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.</p>


Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

<p>Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.</p>

<p>Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.</p>

<p>The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.</p>

<p>“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.</p>

<p>“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.</p>

<p>“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”</p>

<p>The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.</p>

<p>“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”</p>

<p>From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.</p>

<p>“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”</p>

<p>The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.</p>

<p>“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.</p>

<p>Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.</p>

<p>“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.</p>

<p>“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”</p>

<p>The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.</p>

<p>“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.</p>

<p>Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

<p>Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.</p>

<p>The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.</p>

<p>It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.</p>

<p>With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.</p>

<p>“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.</p>

<p>“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”</p>

<p><img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" /></p>

<p>GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.</p>

<p>“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”</p>

<p>Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.</p>

<p>“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.</p>

<p><img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.</p>

<p>Green praised local policy settings.</p>

<p>“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”</p>

<p>One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.</p>

<p>“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.</p>


One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

<p>It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.</p>

<p>Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.</p>

<p>Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be</p>

<p data-end="683" data-start="511">"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.</p>

<p data-end="882" data-start="690">"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."</p>

<p data-end="882" data-start="690">[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]</p>

<p>The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.</p>

<p>The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.</p>

<p>Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]</p>

<p>Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.</p>

<p>The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]</p>

<p data-end="247" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.</p>

<p>WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.</p>

<p>With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]</p>


WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Liveability

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<p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/61661/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1"></p>
<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, moved from the world’s second-least-liveable city to the fourth-least-liveable city in The Economist’s latest liveability survey.</p>
<p>But cities are complex and measures of liveability often subjective. These rankings perhaps say more about the biases of global standards than about Dhaka itself.</p>
<p>This isn’t to suggest these measures do not have their uses. The very growth of the urban measurement industry points to the productive diversity of world cities. It also illustrates how cities are internally diverse, even contradictory, in character. </p>
<p>This is especially true in Dhaka. On the back of high GDP growth, standards of living for Dhaka’s middle class have risen considerably. At the same time, informal settlements have also grown.</p>
<p>Based on Bangladesh’s 2014 census, it was calculated that 1.06 million people are living in slums in the Dhaka division. This number “has increased by 60.43% in the last 17 years”. Unofficial estimates of the number of slum residents are much higher, around 3.5 million.</p>
<p>Across the developing nations, around one-third of city residents live in slums. A 2013 Rockefeller Foundation report suggested that rather than focusing on a linear vision of “world-class cities”, planners and policymakers should adopt an alternative lens of “hybrid cities”, in which:</p>
<p><em>"… informal economies are directly integrated into city planning and priorities."</em></p>
<p>This requires inclusion of social movements and grassroots organisations that exist in and around informal economies. Secure housing, political recognition, legal protections and well-funded health and education programs are minimal measures for how this might be realised.</p>
<h2>Illuminating shadow economies</h2>
<p>As cities trumpet their liveability, creativity and greenness, informal settlement activities are often relegated to the shadows. The Rockefeller report suggests this is not only a problem for social justice or political representation, but also for economic growth.</p>
<p>A hybridised city looks to light up those areas where communities are already bringing together existing needs, new ideas, vigorous debate and innovative possibilities. John Thakara observes that informal settlements have a “DIY urbanism”, which has implications for urban design, planning and development:</p>
<p><em>"The shadow economy is more fragmented, and more reliant on social networks, than the formal one – but it is no less dynamic for that. Because social practices are a key part of this urban transformation, the tasks of design are mutating."</em></p>
<p>An integrated approach would recognise how these practices – and associated urban planning processes – respond inventively to the limits and loopholes of rapidly expanding cities. According to the Rockefeller report, such limits include:</p>
<p><em>"… information asymmetries in the labour market that prevent equitable access to jobs; and insufficient access to resources (for example, skills, finance and markets) that enable growth."</em></p>
<h2>Kolorob: a participatory platform</h2>
<p>Kolorob is an urban innovation initiative stemming from a multi-sectoral collaboration with the communities of two slums in Mirpur, Dhaka. Young people have been integral from the start as mappers and facilitators to collect data about services and involve communities in the application’s design.</p>
<p>A Bangla word meaning “clamour” or “noise”, Kolorob is aimed at amplifying the diverse voices and inventive practices of these informal settlements. It builds on the immediate strengths and networks of these communities to help meet their need for information about services, jobs and opportunities in a rapidly growing city.</p>
<p>The main features of the GooglePlay app include an interactive map about essential services in the two informal settlements. Kolorob also provides detailed information, a feedback system and a comparison tool.</p>
<p>We are exploring the expectations, experiences and reflections of community members involved in co-designing the app. Discussions with young people highlighted how they strongly value: </p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>increasing smartphone penetration and usage in their communities;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>making the variety of local services more visible, providing in-depth detail about these, and using community feedback to enhance decision-making; and</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>beginning to promote informal jobs to increase opportunities and autonomy for informal-sector workers.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Our initial research into the co-design of Kolorob has found significant scope for participatory platforms to enhance access to existing services and employment opportunities in these areas. They also generate the potential for broader capacity-building by linking people to skill development and institutional support where available.</p>
<p>How such technology platforms can be maintained and leveraged in continued partnership with such communities is critical. This experiment connects with similar conversations in other cities and through other networks. One prominent example is the Platform Co-operativismmovement, which includes RefugeesWork in Germany, Sensorica in Canada and Enspiral in New Zealand. </p>
<p>Such platforms work to make data collection and knowledge sharing more inclusive.</p>
<h2>Connecting people and opportunities</h2>
<p>A range of policymakers, politicians, researchers and community organisation representatives are now converging on the UN’s Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador. Key to the conference is the adoption of a New Urban Agenda. This aims to be:</p>
<p><em>"… an action-oriented document which will set global standards of achievement in sustainable urban development, rethinking the way we build, manage, and live in cities through drawing together co-operation with committed partners, relevant stakeholders, and urban actors at all levels of government as well as the private sector."</em></p>
<p>The role of information and communication technology in this invites not only close attention but novel collaborations. For instance, a 2015 report highlights several hurdles to overcome:</p>
<p>More public-private partnerships are needed to incubate new ICT startups to provide locally appropriate services.</p>
<p>Small, fragmented demonstration projects require national scale-up with business models addressing urban and rural areas.</p>
<p>As a platform, Kolorob is still in its early development stage. But there is interest from existing and new multi-sectoral partners in exploring the potential of scaling it up within Dhaka, as well as across other South Asian megacities. </p>
<p>Rather than focusing on artificial solutions based upon improving world-class cities, we need to turn the spotlight to inclusive ICT platforms that contribute to both informal and formal economies. We can then begin to meet the wider social and political needs of hybrid cities.</p>
<p><em><span class="fn author-name">Teresa Swist is p</span>ostdoctoral research fellow, Western Sydney University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/teresa-swist-172271" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><em><span class="fn author-name">David Sweeting is i</span>nstitute associate, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-sweeting-265851" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><em><span class="fn author-name">Liam Magee s</span>enior research fellow, Digital Media, Western Sydney University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/liam-magee-227430" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><em>All are authors for The Conversation.</em></p>
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Design in the ‘hybrid city’: DIY meets platform urbanism in Dhaka’s informal settlements

<html><body>
<p>For the sixth year in a row Melbourne has topped The Economist's list of the world's most liveable cities. </p>
<p>Vienna was ranked the world's second-most liveable city, followed by Vancouver and Toronto.</p>
<p>Sydney is one of the biggest losers of this year's report, tumbling out of the top 10 most liveable cities, down four places to 11th.</p>
<p>Adelaide has managed to hold on to its title as the world's fifth-most liveable city, tied with the Canadian city of Calgary. </p>
<p>Overall the survey reported increasing instability around the world, including through civil war and other violent acts.</p>
<p>"This has been a year undoubtedly marked by terrorism," the report said.</p>
<p>"While not a new phenomenon, its frequency and spread have increased noticeably and become even more prominent in the past year."</p>
<p>Paris (32nd place) was among the cities that experienced the biggest declines in liveability in the past five years.</p>
<p>The Syrian city of Damascus ranked last among the 140 cities.</p>
<p>The Economist liveability score hasn't changed much since 2011 for Melbourne although the city has lost points in the categories of stability and culture and environment. But it scored a perfect 100/100 in education, healthcare and infrastructure.</p>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Melbourne tops Vienna to be most liveable city: The Economist

<html><body>
<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>For the fifth consecutive year, Melbourne has been named the <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">world’s most liveable city by The Economist Intelligence Unit’s </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">annual survey. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">While the ranking is based on a range of factors </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">such as healthcare, culture, education and infrastructure, </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Secret Agent believes that Melbourne's success is due to </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">thoughtful urban design.</span></p>
<p>We owe it to Jan Gehl, the Danish architect and urban designer <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">who worked together with Melbourne City Council in the early 1990s to transform the city from, in his own words, “</span>neutron bombed<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">, not a soul - not even a cat”, into a place for people.</span></p>
<p>Much of our laneway culture and outdoor dining today can be <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">attributed to Gehl’s visionary thinking and humanistic approach </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">to urban design.</span></p>
<p>Three main principles can be drawn from Gehl’s work:</p>
<p>1. Design the city at 5km/h</p>
<p>Cities had always been designed for people, who move at <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">a modest speed of about 5km/h, up until the boom of the </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">automobile in the 1960s. New cities were then designed at </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">60km/h - wider, further apart, less accessible by foot. Gehl’s </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">intervention in Melbourne applied the human scale of the </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">older, 5km/h cities, giving birth to our laneway culture that is </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">now inseparable from the city’s identity. Narrow, dense and </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">brimming with life, there is a certain magic that comes with </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">compact spaces.</span></p>
<p>Thanks to Gehl and planning changes, Melbourne CBD has <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">gained 20 hectares of footpaths over 15 years. Designing </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">walkable urban spaces encourages people to do so, resulting </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">in a healthier population. Think about how far a person has </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">to walk to get from A to B; is it a comfortable distance? If it </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">necessarily becomes a lengthy walk, can it be a safe, pleasant </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">and eventful journey?</span></p>
<p>2. Design the city at eye level</p>
<p>The city at 5km/h, naturally, becomes the city at eye level. <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">There must be visual interest or the opportunity for interaction </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">at eye level to enrich the experience of a space. When Gehl </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">suggested to Melbourne city planners in 1978 that it needed </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">more sidewalk cafes, he was met with disapproval, due to its </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">health risks and Melbourne's harsh weather. Today, the city has </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">over 200 outdoor cafes.</span></p>
<p>Imagine yourself walking along Swanston Street or Bourke <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Street Mall on any given afternoon of the week. Chances are </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">you've also thought about the large crowds, buskers, outdoor  </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">diners and corporate workers having their takeaway lunches </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">out in the sun. Our city presents many opportunities to stop </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">and have a conversation, or simply sit and enjoy peoplewatching.</span></p>
<p>3. Life &gt; Space &gt; Buildings</p>
<p>Start by designing for life. What will people be doing; eating, <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">walking, playing? Where can people stand or sit; will there be </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">an opportunity to sit in the afternoon sun? By first painting a </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">picture of how people will feel and behave, we can craft urban </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">spaces to accommodate them. Only then do we consider how </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">buildings can enrich the environment and preserve the flow of </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">daily life.</span></p>
<p>Urban developments that fail typically suffer from the same <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">syndrome: they’re bland and stark, where buildings are just </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">objects in space. There’s nothing to do or see, and they fall </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">short of making that transition from spaces to places.</span></p>
<p>As Melbourne’s population grows, Secret Agent hopes that we <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">continue to build liveable and walkable places for people. Let’s </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">not forget the most important lesson from Gehl:</span></p>
<p>“Every time we build something, we <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">manipulate the conditions of people’s </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">lives, but most planners don’t know </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">enough about this manipulation. We </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">are manipulating every time we put </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">down a stone.”</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><em>For more information, <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.</em></span></p>
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Three reasons why Melbourne is the world's most liveable city: Secret Agent

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<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>Australia is well regarded internationally as one of the world’s most liveable places. Australians continue to think so too with 99 percent of us agreeing that this is a great place to live! </p>
<p>In our second annual survey, we take another look at what makes this country such a special place to live. Relative safety &amp; security, general lifestyle &amp; friendliness and access to quality healthcare continue to be valued most highly, with open spaces, climate and environment also important drawcards. Our people, an acceptance of diversity and love of sport have also become bigger drawcards, but the economy and education are contributing less.</p>
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<div class="column"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Our relative safety &amp; security (36 percent) and general lifestyle &amp; friendliness (35 percent) continue to be cited as the key factors making Australia such a great place to live. They also resonated with more Australians in 2016 than in last year’s survey (33 percent and 32 percent respectively). Access to quality healthcare was also viewed as key positive for 30 percent of Australians, albeit less than in 2015 (33 percent).</span></div>
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<br><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Access to open spaces, beaches and parks, climate, clean environment &amp; unique natural wonders continued to be highly valued by around 1 in 4 Australians.</span>
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<br><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">It was however notable that a strong and stable economy (18 percent) contributed less to liveability in Australia in the 2016 survey (21 percent in 2015), which is perhaps not surprising given weaker economic growth outcomes last year. There was also a notable fall in the number of Australians (15 percent) citing access to quality education as a driver of liveability (19 percent in 2015).</span>
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<br><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">On a positive note, our people and their acceptance of diversity was recognised as a bigger drawcard by 17 percent of Australians (up from 13 percent in 2015), while the number who valued our love of sport climbed to 11 percent (8 percent in 2015).</span>
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<br><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The national results hide some big differences between states. For example, safety &amp; security was valued most highly in SA/NT (43 percent) and contributed least in WA (31 percent) and Victoria (31 percent). Climate was a much stronger drawcard in WA (29 percent) and Queensland (28 percent) than in Victoria (17 percent) and Tasmania (14 percent). </span>
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<div class="column"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">People and an acceptance of diversity was most highly valued in NSW/ACT (21 percent), but access to quality education (17 percent), a love of sport (14 percent) and entertainment options (9 percent) resonated most with Victorians, while general lifestyle &amp; friendliness was a much bigger factor for Tasmanians (54 percent).</span></div>
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<p><span>New South Wales / ACT </span></p>
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<p><span>In NSW/ACT, relative safety &amp; security (40 percent), general lifestyle &amp; friendliness (35 percent) and access to quality healthcare (29 percent) were the most commonly identified factors making Australia a great place to live. It was however, notable that safety &amp; security was valued more highly in NSW/ACT than in all other states bar SA/NT. </span></p>
<p><span>People and acceptance of diversity (by gender, race and religion) also resonated higher in NSW/ACT than in any other state (21 percent), but it was also notable that a love of sport (8 percent) played a much smaller role relative to the national average. </span></p>
<p><span>For all other factors, residents of NSW/ACT were broadly in line with the average Australian. </span></p>
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<p><span>Victoria </span></p>
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<p><span>General lifestyle &amp; friendliness (35 percent), quality healthcare (33 percent) and safety &amp; security (31 percent) were the most commonly identified factors in Victoria. Victorians valued healthcare equal highest with WA among the states, but safety &amp; security contributed equal least along with WA. </span></p>
<p><span>Victorians led the country in terms of access to quality education (17 percent), their love of sport (14 percent), entertainment options such as restaurants and cinemas (9 percent) and for transport and other public infrastructure (6 percent). </span></p>
<p><span>Victorians were however notably below the Australian average when it came to a clean environment and natural wonders (19 percent), climate (17 percent) and social welfare system (15 percent). </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
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<p><span>Queensland </span></p>
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<p><span>Safety &amp; security (33 percent), general lifestyle &amp; friendliness (32 percent) and access to quality healthcare (32 percent) were the main factors making Australia a great place to live according to Queenslanders - albeit contributing less than average except for healthcare. </span></p>
<p><span>Queenslanders (28 percent) rated climate notably higher than in most other states. They also valued access to open spaces, beaches &amp; parks (26 percent) and a strong and stable economy (20 percent) slightly more than the average Australian. </span></p>
<p><span>It was however notable that employment and job prospects (1 percent) contributed less in Queensland than for the average Australian, as did transport &amp; other public infrastructure (1 percent). </span></p>
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<p><span>South Australia / Northern Territory </span></p>
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<p><span>Safety &amp; security (43 percent) was valued higher in SA/NT than in any other state. General lifestyle &amp; friendliness (33 percent), access to open spaces, parks &amp; beaches (26 percent) and climate (24 percent) were the next biggest drawcards. </span></p>
<p><span>Housing and housing affordability (7 percent) was valued higher than all other states - likely due to lower median house prices. Love of sport (14 percent) was also a much bigger draw card in SA/NT. </span></p>
<p><span>In contrast, healthcare (22 percent) and a clean environment &amp; unique natural wonders (19 percent) contributed much less than it did for the average Australian. Not surprisingly given the economic challenges facing SA, a strong &amp; stable economy (15 percent) also contributed less. </span></p>
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<p><span>Western Australia </span></p>
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<p><span>West Australians placed the highest emphasis on general lifestyle &amp; friendliness (36 percent), access to quality healthcare (33 percent) and safety &amp; security as key factors making Australia a great place to life, albeit safety&amp; security rated equal lowest of all states. </span></p>
<p><span>West Australians did however value access to open spaces, beaches &amp; parks (30 percent) and climate (24 percent) highest in the country. Social welfare (21 percent) was also valued somewhat more. </span></p>
<p><span>In contrast, people &amp; acceptance of diversity (14 percent), love of sport (7 percent) and entertainment options (e.g. restaurants, dining out) contributed less to their notion of what makes Australia a great place to than any other state. </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
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<p><span>Tasmania </span></p>
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<p><span>Significantly more Tasmanians valued general lifestyle &amp; friendliness (54 percent) higher than Australians living in any other state. </span></p>
<p><span>Notably more Tasmanians also highlighted safety &amp; security (42 percent), clean environment &amp; natural wonders (40 percent), social welfare system (24 percent) and (perhaps somewhat surprisingly given the under-performance of the local economy) a strong &amp; stable economy (24 percent) higher than in any other state. </span></p>
<p><span>In contrast, access to quality healthcare (18 percent), climate (14 percent), access to open spaces, beaches &amp; parks (14 percent) and education (9 percent) contributed much less than in any other state. </span></p>
<p>For more information, <a href="https://www.nab.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p>
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