This guide has been developed to help speed a transition to sustainable urban development in two key environmental domains related to resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) – where levels of both are seriously challenging the planetary boundaries of a finite earth experiencing rapid population growth and urbanisation.

A clear urban design assessment deficit exists. Sustainable urban development in the 21st century, across all scales, needs to be demonstrably regenerative, low carbon and resilient, as well as efficient, equitable and liveable. The design assessment deficit is particularly acute, however, at precinct scale.

A convergence of digital innovation with advanced knowledge from the fields of urban planning and design, social science, computer science, engineering and construction has been harnessed in this guide to create an advanced information platform for transformative built environment planning and design focused on precinct scale modelling and performance assessment. This platform can enable the transition from a system of built environment assessment that is largely prescriptive in nature to one that is more innovative and performance-based.