The Sir Patrick Abercrombie Lecture, ‘Planning in a time of polycrisis: Possibilities for hope’
We are living in a time of rapid and unexpected change, where crises seem to multiply and intertwine - from the global pandemic to housing shortages and the ongoing impacts of climate change. This overwhelming convergence of issues is what experts call a 'polycrisis', and it’s impacting the way we live, work, and plan for our future.
Once, urban planning provided a solution to such complex challenges, but now it receives criticism for stalling development - blamed for blocking housing supply while perpetuating environmental harms and enabling ongoing dispossession of Aboriginal land. Amid criticism, how can today’s planners reclaim the spirit of old and build inclusive, resilient communities that are equipped to thrive in the face of polycrisis?
Join Nicole Gurran as she explores practical solutions for making urban planning a powerful tool in shaping a brighter, more sustainable future.
This event is co-hosted with The University of Tasmania and the Planning Institute of Australia.
Speaker
Professor Nicole Gurran, Director, Henry Halloran Research Trust
Nicole Gurran is Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Sydney, where she directs the Henry Halloran Research Trust. Over two decades her research and publications have focused on housing affordability, urban planning, and climate change. She is committed to informing public policy and debate through her research, media commentary, and advice to governments, and most recently served as Co-Commissioner on the People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis.