Perth's Transformative Urban Vision: A 30-Year Journey to Progress
When Danish architect and urban design consultant Jan Gehl first arrived in Perth in 1993, he conducted the CBD's inaugural Public Space Public Life study with local volunteers. His findings revealed a city brimming with potential but facing a long road ahead. Gehl returned in 2009 to witness real progress and again last year to help shape what is perhaps the most ambitious framework Perth has ever produced.
This 30-year arc is significant, serving as evidence that Perth is a city capable of following through on its commitments. Landmark projects like Elizabeth Quay, Perth City Link, and the ECU City Campus demonstrate that bold decisions, sustained over time, can genuinely transform an urban landscape.
The Shaping Perth City Centre Framework: A Clear Vision for the Future
The Shaping Perth City Centre: Towards 2036 and Beyond framework, developed by the City of Perth in partnership with Gehl, builds on this foundation with a clarity of vision that should excite anyone invested in the city's future. However, Perth has a proud history of big ideas, particularly for the CBD. The critical question now is how to move from planning to tangible progress.
Key Ingredients for Success: Governance, Funding, and People
Three essential ingredients are already on the table, each deserving serious attention to ensure the framework's success.
Governance: Late last year, Property Council Western Australia proposed that the State Government establish a dedicated Minister for the Capital City. This role would come with a clear mandate, cross-agency authority, and accountability for delivery. Without a single point of ownership, even the best-designed plans can become mired in bureaucracy. Perth's next chapter requires focus and authority—a person whose primary responsibility is to see this vision through to completion.
Funding: The Perth Parking Levy account is projected to reach $312 million by 2028-29 if left unspent. This money exists today, ring-fenced specifically for transport and accessibility improvements within the city. Deploying it deliberately, in alignment with the priorities outlined in the Shaping Perth City Centre: Towards 2036 and Beyond framework, would send a powerful signal that this plan is different and committed to real change.
People: The framework highlights a persistent challenge: despite a 390 percent increase in city-centre residents between 2009 and 2023, Perth's city core still lacks the critical mass needed to sustain the 24/7 vitality it aspires to. A genuinely vibrant city is built by its residents, not its events calendar. Accelerating residential growth in the heart of the city represents the most enduring investment Perth can make to foster a lively and sustainable urban environment.
Conclusion: Seizing the Opportunity for Urban Transformation
The vision for Perth's future is right, the energy behind it is real, and the necessary tools are within reach. The only remaining elements are the drive and commitment to utilize them effectively. With focused governance, strategic funding, and a growing residential base, Perth stands on the brink of a transformative era that could redefine its urban landscape for generations to come.
