Wicked Urban Challenges in Western Sydney: Researchers Respond

The purpose of this publication is to provide critical insights and perspectives around how to tackle four of Western Sydney's wicked urban challenges, and ensure our region is prepared for the future, namely: job/housing imbalances and inadequate infrastructure investment; declining housing affordability; cultural infrastructure disparities; extreme urban heat. Our aim is that this publication continues the debate generated in the online forum, 'Wicked urban challenges in Western Sydney: researchers respond', held in October 2021. The event was sponsored by Western Sydney University (WSU). The university is a modern, forward-thinking, research-led university, located at the heart of the Western Sydney region. Boasting 12 campuses (many in CBD locations) and more than 170,000 alumni, 48,000 students and 3,000 staff, the university has 14 Schools with an array of well-designed programs and courses carefully structured to meet the demands of future industry. The event was organised through the University's Urban Living Futures and Society Research Theme and formed part of the University's 2021 Research Week, called 'Bold Research Futures'. This theme had real resonance with what was discussed that day. Over 160 people attended this highly interactive forum, right across the built environment profession and other key professions. The invitation, however, had gone wider, to many people living and working in Western Sydney and beyond. The event brought together our researchers, government, industry, and our local community to challenge conventional policy thinking and offer new ways to solve these four wicked urban challenges in Western Sydney (as outlined above). The remainder of this report provides a summary of four of WSU's leading urban researchers' presentations, as delivered on the day. Each of the academics draw from the strategic programs of work being carried out by multi-disciplinary teams across our university. Each brings fresh perspectives and insights to our understanding of the challenges that Western Sydney faces and offers bold policy solutions and initiatives.