The City of Perth has released a new report based on a comprehensive assessment of the City's liveability, connectivity, and public spaces. Titled ‘Towards 2036 – Report Card 2025’, the report, prepared in collaboration with global urban design firm Gehl, marks the first phase of a long-term strategy aimed at transforming Perth into a vibrant, people-focused city by 2036.

Over the past decade, Perth has undergone significant transformation, anchored by projects such as Elizabeth Quay, as well as an upsurge in city living and public events that celebrate the City’s identity. The new report builds upon the previous Public Spaces and Public Life studies for Perth conducted in 1994 and 2009 by renowned Danish architect Jan Gehl, which analysed the quality of the City’s public spaces and how people interacted with them, establishing comparative benchmarks and methods for measuring improvements over time.

Recommendations made in the previous studies have informed and shaped some of the city’s most successful developments, including the Cathedral Square and State Buildings precinct, Elizabeth Quay, Perth City Link, and the recent work on the Perth Riverfront Masterplan.

The latest report card indicates that Perth’s growth is having a positive impact on life in the City, Deputy Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds says.

“Perth is celebrated as one of the most liveable cities in the world and renowned for its unique natural setting on the magnificent Swan River.

“To future-proof Perth’s liveability, the City has worked with Gehl for more than 30 years to ensure we remain a city that protects its natural environment and creates public spaces that people can enjoy. This is particularly important as we strive to increase the number of people living in the city centre to 55,000 by 2036.”

Emerging opportunities highlighted in the report to make Perth even more attractive include improving the connection to Kings Park, reducing the reliance on cars, continuing to enhance the tree canopy, encouraging workers to stay in the City after work, and making the streets more bicycle-friendly.

The Towards 2036 report card will form the basis for further consultation with industry, government, designers, and Traditional Owners, which will then inform a vision for the City to be released at the end of the year.

The Towards 2036 report card can be viewed on the City’s website.

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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