This Report records the proceedings of the fourth CURF Annual Forum which focused on carbon-neutrality. We brought together leaders in government, the private sector, NGOs and business, to share their insights and spark informative and spirited discussions on how we could plan for a carbon-neutral future for Canberra and our region. The discussions centred around the four CURF themes of Settlements and Infrastructure; Green Growth; Health and Well-being; and Climate Change and Sustainability. We acknowledge and applaud that the ACT and the region is a national leader in working towards the highly desirable goal of carbon-neutrality, and much has been achieved already. The Territory’s 100% renewable electricity target, for example, is about to be realised; but there is much more to be done on the journey to carbon-neutrality. Our two keynote speakers were Professor Andrew Blakers of The Australian National University and Mr Shane Rattenbury MLA, ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability. They each spoke with passion and a tangible vison of hope about carbon-neutral pathways for not only Canberra and the region but also the nation. Our other Forum speakers informed us in some detail of current research and initiatives, and through their valuable presentations we were motivated and inspired by an enthusiastic call to arms to achieve an expedited rate of personal, corporate and government action. This Report records the results of these discussions.

This project aimed to generate research outcomes about the nature and role of policy and legal settings in enhancing collaboration on climate adaptation. The project examined the question of what legal, policy and regulatory settings enable collaborative approaches to climate adaptation in the Australian Capital Region.

This research explores where an effective approach to climate change adaptation would benefit from cross-jurisdictional approaches, and it identifies key emerging challenges from a changing climate in the ACR and opportunities for transboundary collaboration and initiatives. The research also explores interlinkages between regional planning and climate change adaptation, and identifies the opportunity provided by integrated regional planning for building a more resilient and climate-adapted region. The research approach has included a literature review of climate science and impacts in the region, adaptation studies and regional planning; analysis of plans and strategies from local, state and territory governments in the region to identify gaps and the extent of complementarity; and, interviews with 26 representatives from governments, regional organisations and industry associations.

CURF has completed six years of collaborative research to find new pathways and implementation strategies for sustainable futures for cities and regions. CURF’s culture is one that promotes collegiality, internally and externally. We engage policy makers, business and the public in the challenges facing the Australian Capital Region, and provide a strong evidence base for policy development. Our reputation is growing, as an innovative knowledge network that better connects research with practice. At CURF we actively seek to build and strengthen research relationships between the University of Canberra and key strategic partners, not only to produce world class research but also to ensure significant public value and policy impact. We seek to actively contribute to developing the University’s world ranking for research. We are continuing to develop research partnerships with universities and other research centres across Europe, the USA, the Asia Pacific and the Middle East. These too can only benefit Canberra and the region. This document provides an update CURF's activities and direction 20165-2016.

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.