Insights & Stories

Shanghai’s transformation is often told through its skyline. Its housing history reveals an equally important story: expanding homeownership, large-scale relocation and the challenge of keeping communities connected as neighborhoods change. From the 1991 Housing Provident Fund to Xintiandi’s redevelopment between 1999 and 2001, and the emergence of community micro-regeneration from 2015, Shanghai offers valuable lessons about who benefits from urban renewal. 1991–1998: From w

Shanghai’s dramatic transformation demonstrates how coordinated planning, infrastructure and investment can reshape a city within a generation. Its iconic skyline emerged from a much broader effort to restructure industry, improve connectivity and establish new economic centers. In the early 1990s, Shanghai faced congested roads, ageing housing and significant environmental pressures. Decades of industrial expansion had outpaced infrastructure investment, leaving the city wit

What India’s planning history—and South America’s experience of upgrading informal settlements—can teach us about building fairer, more liveable cities. A shaded avenue, an overcrowded lane and a gated apartment complex can exist within walking distance of one another in an Indian city. Each represents a different relationship with land, infrastructure and opportunity. Understanding these contrasts requires looking beyond population growth. Colonial planning established endur

Changing the way a retail or commercial premises is used can appear straightforward. A tenant may want to convert a shop into a medical clinic, establish a gym in a former retail tenancy, introduce food preparation into an existing shop, or take over a lease and operate a completely different business. However, in NSW, changing the use of premises can involve two separate approval processes: 1. Approval under the lease, including landlord consent; and 2. Approval under the NS

Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital infrastructure and sovereign data storage are driving unprecedented demand for data centres across Australia. Yet while the technology attracts the headlines, the biggest challenge often isn't building the facility—it's finding the right site and navigating the planning system. Over the past few years, data centres have evolved from niche industrial assets into nationally significant infrastructure. In NSW, the momentum is acc

For many years, sustainability in commercial real estate was considered a "nice-to-have" feature, mainly driven by public relations efforts or overarching corporate social responsibility objectives. That time has passed. Today, sustainability is a crucial operational and financial necessity. It directly affects asset value, tenant acquisition, debt availability, planning flexibility, and long-term yield. The challenge for commercial property owners is no longer whether to enh

Cities are often judged by their skyline, transport networks and economic growth. Yet the true measure of a successful city is much simpler: how well it serves the people who use it every day. Modern planning has made significant progress in creating more walkable neighbourhoods, improving public transport, delivering greener infrastructure and encouraging higher-density communities. However, one dimension of inclusion is only beginning to receive broader recognition—designin

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s becoming a core requirement in how we plan, design, and deliver our cities. From environmental performance and emissions to social outcomes and governance frameworks, ESG is reshaping the way developments are assessed and approved. As urban planners, we sit right at the intersection of these priorities — translating policy into real, measurable outcomes on the ground. Whether it’s embedding climate resilience into masterplan

Placemaking in theory is a process through which planners work together with community stakeholders to shape our public spaces. A placemaking approach that includes the buildings, space, and life makes up the key essence of the placemaking approach. In a simple context, placemaking is a process through which planners can work with all stakeholders and partners of a community to shape its public spaces. When considering a concept such as the people-centered approach where buil

We are often asked whether an office tenancy can be converted into a medical centre without planning approval. In NSW, this type of proposal is treated as a change of use to a “medical centre / health services facility” and will almost always require formal approval, along with building-code and health-related compliance. DA vs Exempt vs CDC NSW exempt change-of-use provisions generally apply only to low-impact changes within business or retail categories. A change from offic

We are often asked whether a warehouse can be used as a gym, Pilates studio, yoga studio or fitness facility without planning approval. In NSW, this type of proposal is generally treated as a change of use and, in most cases, formal approval is required. How the use is classified Warehouses are typically approved as warehouse or distribution centre uses, or as light industrial/storage uses under local environmental plans (LEPs). By contrast, a gym or studio is usually classif

Like many cities around the world, to plan for future growth of cities as well as incorporating United Nations sustainable development goals. Every city including Sydney drafted a master plan with a vision. Cities are organised so that many people can reach one another, and important destinations, in a short amount of time, whether on foot, or by bike, bus, train, ferry, or car. The most accessible cities maximise the destinations people can reach in a reasonable amount of ti

Urban planning is at a crossroads. As cities expand and populations grow, the need for sustainable practices in urban development has never been more critical. Sustainability in urban planning is not just a trend; it is a necessity for creating livable, resilient, and environmentally friendly cities. This blog post explores the importance of sustainability in urban planning, the challenges faced, and successful examples from around the world. Understanding Sustainability in U

In the realm of property development, success hinges not just on the physical structures erected but also on the relationships built along the way. Engaging stakeholders effectively can significantly enhance project outcomes, ensuring that developments meet community needs while also aligning with investor expectations. This blog post explores the importance of strategic stakeholder engagement in property development, offering practical insights and examples to illustrate its