The state of Australian cities 2010 report – towards a national research agenda

• Ian Winter
• Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI)

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08 July 2010On 5 March 2010, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government launched the State of Australian Cities 2010 report (Australian Government 2010). 

The report was prepared by the Major Cities Unit, part of Infrastructure Australia, and draws together existing data and information across a range of economic, social and environmental parameters to provide a national snapshot of the 17 Australian cities with populations over 100 000 at the 2006 Census. It also highlights emerging trends and issues to promote discussion and debate on managing growth and change in our urban centres.

The State of Australian Cities 2010 report progresses the cities agenda at the national level, setting the context and scope for further involvement by the Australian Government in urban policy and planning. The next stage will involve the development of a national cities strategy that outlines the Australian Government's approach to achieving more productive, liveable and sustainable cities in the future. The full report and individual chapters can be found by visiting Infrastructure Australia.

The State of Australian Cities 2010 report does not aim to identify key gaps in the research evidence base, nor to develop a national research agenda—but these are appropriate tasks for AHURI as the national research institute focussed on housing and urban matters. As an initiative under AHURI’s National Cities Research Program, this paper invites your response to the proposed research priorities.