Cities within a city : planning policies and intra-urban inequalities in Greater Sydney

Abstract

Numerous research papers and reports have acknowledged Sydney's inequalities in terms of place-based difficulties, governance, migrant settlement, displacement, gentrification, housing development, and affordability. However, that research is not specific to the urban inequalities related to urban policy applications. Considering the gap, this research investigates the urban planning practices, their impacts and outcomes in Sydney in light of case studies, secondary evidence, empirical data and critical urban philosophies. The key questions in this research are: how is Sydney transforming into an increasingly unequal city? how do influential socio-economic actors contribute to urban inequalities? what is the situation of the rights to the city in the disadvantaged geographies of Sydney? And how are the life and livelihoods of Sydney's underprivileged residents disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? This research employs critical theory as a crucial lens to analyse the socio-economic disparities in urban spaces. The critical analysis outlines that the NSW urban planning system, practices and outcomes influence the cities within a city divide in Sydney, supporting secondary content and empirical data. The affluent areas are prioritised in neoliberal urban growth with less housing and population targets and expanded opportunities. In contrast, the disadvantaged regions have extreme urbanisation instead of much needed urban opportunities and infrastructure support. The NSW urban planning practices are strongly influenced by socio-economic power; consequently, high socio-economics northern and eastern areas of Sydney influence the urban growth and development. They are able to prevent densification in their areas. On the other hand, the less affluent residents of low socio-economic Western Sydney areas lack the power to resist large volumes of additional dwellings leading to fast densification. The critical analysis of this research outlines Sydney's urban policy practices, planning powers, and urban rights divide as an 'east""west divide'. This research points out that empowered local politics, expanded communication, enhanced consultation, and improved community engagement mechanisms are needed to effectively engage Western Sydney residents in the planning process. This research develops the 'Equal, Resilient and Sustainable Western Sydney Model' to address the existing urban divide and build equal, sustainable and resilient cities and communities. This thesis also proposes numerous strategies to ensure Western Sydney residents' active and robust community engagement. In addition, better and accessible education, improved human resources, innovation, technological transformation, and efficient infrastructure are vital to enhancing socio-economic development in disadvantaged Western Sydney.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English