This CURF Working Paper No 6, “Informing the ACT Planning Strategy Review”, provides an evidence base for a review of the ACT Planning Strategy in 2017. Its principal role is to determine the key components of a contemporary planning strategy that is appropriate and implementable in Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory. Its foremost objective is to provide research perspective to support the 2017 review of the 2012 ACT Planning Strategy. It aims to answer the question: what should a future ACT planning strategy look like? This paper first examines the general characteristics of recent metropolitan strategies from 24 Australian and international cities. Secondly, it reviews the existing national and international literature and looks at the theoretical constructs and processes that define current metropolitan strategic planning. Finally, it examines and discusses what could be the future nature of the ACT 2017 Strategic Plan. This paper will be of primary interest to the ACT Government and its directorates, in particular the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate. It will also inform surrounding local governments with a view to improved and coordinated regional planning. Further, it will be of interest to a broader community interested in the planning and development of Canberra and the Region. Finally, it aims to be of specific interest to current researchers in metropolitan strategic planning, in Australia and internationally.

This Report records the proceedings of the third Annual CURF Forum. In previous years we have focused on connecting research and practice for a sustainable Capital Region, and strengthening regional resilience in Canberra and the region. This year we were conscious that with a Federal election, an ACT Legislative Assembly election, and elections for a number of re-organised NSW local government areas there was much change in the air. New issues were emerging and established approaches were being challenged as economic, social and environmental concerns become more mainstream. While there is a sense of achievement in many areas, there is an atmosphere of challenge: • How do we build a sustainable, prosperous and equitable future for ourselves, our communities and our region? • What are the ‘people’ or social issues we face these? • How can we effectively tackle the challenges? • How can we further develop our sense of ‘place’ in Canberra and the region? • How can we make the most of our strengths and opportunities, and plan for a successful future? These were the key issues explored in the 2016 CURF Annual Forum. This report groups the discussions around the four CURF themes of: Settlements and Infrastructure; Green Growth; Health and Well-being; and Climate Change and Sustainability. In this Forum we brought together leaders in government, the private sector, NGOs and business, as well as an international key note speaker to share their insights and spark informative and spirited discussions on how we could plan and prepare for a sustainable future for Canberra and our region. This Report records the results of these discussions.

This report was prepared for the CURF Living Infrastructure Project. The project focused on generating knowledge to support delivering of innovative, high-quality living infrastructure as part of Canberra’s urban renewal and development processes. Through a combination of reviewing and synthesising the literature and consulting with key stakeholders the research has identified a number of key themes and issues relevant to Canberra.

"Place-Based Sustainable Urban Renewal: A case study of the Tuggeranong District and Town Centre, ACT" This report is the culmination of a research collaboration between Canberra Urban and Regional Futures (CURF) at the University of Canberra and the Environment and Planning Directorate of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government examining revitalisation and retrofitting in low density suburbs. The Tuggeranong District (or ‘Tuggeranong Valley’ as it is locally known) in the south of Canberra was selected as a case study due to several key characteristics including population size, prevalence of low density residential housing and an aging built environment. These characteristics of the Tuggeranong District bear similarities with the sprawl of many middle suburbs of larger cities in Australia, Canada, and the United States. It is argued that these greyfields sites are often prime opportunities for city planning to undertake more mixed use, varied density, and other infill activities in order to revitalise and retrofit places.

Indigenous Rights in Planning: Complicities, Incongruities, Prospects

Learning to Adapt is a training program designed to up-skill professionals on climate change adaptation planning and communication, and is run over 3 separate days of intensive collaborative learning. The program builds the necessary skills for climate change adaptation projects, including applying climate change science, assessing and managing climate change risks and implementing and communicating adaptation actions.

The CURF Annual Forum 2015 examined Canberra in the region. More than 100 leaders and practitioners from research, industry and government looked at the role of Canberra as a regional capital and how the region can be strengthened in rapidly changing times. Bringing together our knowledge of our region and successful practices elsewhere provides a powerful forum for future discussions and ideas development. Integrated regional planning is perhaps the least understood and practised area of planning often resulting in a range of unrelated planning documents that encourage protection or development or outline development plans within a particular field. Identifying the needs of a region, the gaps, issues and overlapping concerns can provide communities and governments with powerful tools that can clarify our understanding of how various elements in the region fit together and paint a picture of the current needs and future aspirations of the community. CURF will continue to develop and strengthen ties between research, industry and policy development to facilitate positive growth and sustainability across the region.

Powerpoint presentation CURF Seminar 7 December 2015, Dr Richard Hu, University of Canberra

This study estimates the greenhouse gas emission reductions that will be achieved by the first stage of Canberra’s light rail network, which will commence operation in 2019.

"Strengthening Regional Resiliency - Canberra in the Region"