AECOM is partnering with Sydney Design Festival to launch Sydney Connected, an interactive, online, people-powered and city-wide conversation about the city’s future.
Via an online survey, which opened 6 August, Sydney denizens, visitors and those with links to the Harbour city can share their opinions on a range of issues influencing Sydney’s future development and success.
Sydney Connected will gather thoughts on issues ranging from business growth and new industry development to social diversity, transport links and the emergence of city precincts.
Insights will be shared at an AECOM-hosted industry event on 28 August, to be attended by some of the city’s key decision-makers influencing the planning of Sydney’s future development.
AECOM Director – Design, Planning & Economics, James Rosenwax, said Sydney Connected reflected AECOM’s commitment to engage with industry and communities to identify what cities need to flourish amid rapid demographic, technological and socio-economic change.
“We are increasingly seeing communities play a role in guiding decision-makers as they shape the cities they want to live in,” he said.
“As Australia becomes more urbanised, the nexus between community and industry is becoming more important in defining the shape and composition of our cities, and for how people live, work and relax.”
“Given Sydney’s population is forecast to reach six million people in coming decades, the need to balance complex and often competing industry and community expectations and requirements is becoming more apparent.”
“AECOM embraces this complexity and Sydney Connected provides a fantastic opportunity for the community to generate ideas and momentum to ensure tomorrow’s Sydney maintains its status as a connected and competitive city.”
In addition to the online survey, iPad installations will be available to complete the survey in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, while a one-day pop-up consultation on Saturday 23 August at the Rozelle Markets and EQ Village Markets will further boost participation.
Sydney Connected follows AECOM’s people-powered Melbourne NEXT event earlier this year.
Built on Zoom, a living social study that was part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne NEXT formed an industry response to the Melbourne Now study of more than 8,000 Melbourne community responses on how the city might address challenges relating to population growth, water and energy security, transport planning, healthy living and urban sprawl.
Have your say in the survey at www.sydconnected.com, or join the online conversation using the hashtags #syddes, #sydconnected.
