The Western Sydney Aerotropolis: Planning loveable and liveable spaces

A shopping arcade with a lot of people walking through it

The Western Sydney Aerotropolis is one of the first places to undergo GHD’s ‘loveable’ touch, as part of the New South Wales Government’s long-term aim to develop a new economic centre around the Western Sydney International Airport by 2056.

While a ‘liveable’ city provides the physical infrastructure a population needs, a ‘loveable’ city provides the character that contributes to a sense of place and community, while also building new physical, green infrastructure.

Cities have traditionally competed on what makes them liveable, but economies are increasingly reliant on creative industries, and cities are competing to attract the best talent and to be as sustainable as possible.

Defining ‘loveability’

Our ‘Loveable Cities Framework’ outlines 18 indicators and four dimensions that underpin ‘loveability’. Under this framework, loveability is planned and delivered through ‘soft’ infrastructure – programs services, and activities that complement hard infrastructure to create an affinity for a place.

We used this Loveable Cities Framework to prepare a Social Infrastructure Strategy for Western Sydney Planning Partnership, to inform the initial precinct planning for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. We have been guiding the development of the strategy, which required the consideration of a 50-year timeframe across all categories of social infrastructure, including education, health, emergency services, community facilities, recreation, and open space.

Creating a socially sustainable space

Our ‘lovable cities’ strategy promises to play a significant role in creating socially sustainable places that attract workers, residents, and visitors.

Our team is working to ensure that, when it opens to the public, the Western Sydney Aerotropolis’ new ‘lovable’ infrastructure will create closer community connections, greater social cohesion, and establish a definitive local character and identity within the global community.