Canberra is at a turning point in its history. It established a reputation in the twentieth century as a model for city planning, but some of the assumptions which guided its development in the past need to be re-examined in the light of current trends and the goals of sustainable development. In particular, Canberra has become a city with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong private sector development linked to government and higher education. This gives local actors the opportunity to make careful strategic choices about how best to maintain the high standard of living and quality of landscape and environment which were hallmarks of Canberra's growth in the past. The redevelopment of Civic, the commercial centre of Canberra, will give the city an opportunity to diversify and grow economically, to create more options for mobility, and to enhance cultural and social life. Canberra is a young and innovative city capable of rising to these challenges and fully aware that this means change. This requires a new approach to policymaking and planning in order to realise a sustainable and competitive city.

This book identifies strategies and policy recommendations that can help local agencies and actors better meet the challenges they face. It identifies the need for a new and more holistic approach to urban planning and an opportunity for innovative and inclusive public participation in the planning process. Social, economic and environmental policies must evolve simultaneously in order to have maximum impact at the local level - a goal that many cities throughout OECD countries are far from reaching. By looking at cities which are attempting to secure a more sustainable future best practice can be determined and locally appropriate policy effected. The Urban Renaissance Series makes an important contribution to urban policy evolution globally.