Planning for the land uses in cities and planning for the hazards that impact on cities have only slowly begun to connect with one another. This paper uses historical floods in Brisbane and a framework of 'ideas, interests and institutions' to explore the range and impacts of flood responses since the 1890s. For much of Brisbane's history there was no coherent land use planning so both the land use planning system and its integration with flood mitigation are relatively new. The first major floods affecting the modern settlement were in 1890 and 1893 but other serious floods followed in 1908, 1931, 1974 and 2011. Numerous more moderate floods also occurred over this period because much of the city is built on a floodplain. The paper explores the proposals that have been put forward and by whom, the outcomes of these proposals and the effect of the growing institutionalisation of urban planning. It identifies the ideas, interests and institutions involved. There are lessons for better informed urban land use planning and for better hazard mitigation.

•

The papers presented at the 2015 State of Australian Cities National Conference (SOAC 7) were organised into seven broad themes but all shared, to varying degrees, a common focus on the ways in which high quality academic research can be used in the development and implementation of policy. The relationship between empirical evidence and theoretical developments that are presented as part of our scholarly endeavours and policy processes is rarely clear and straightforward. Sometimes, perhaps because of the fortuitous alignment of various factors, our research has a direct and positive impact on policy. Sometimes it takes longer to be noticed and have influence and, sometimes, there is no little or no evidence of impact beyond or even with the academy. And while there are things we can do to promote the existence of our work and to present it in more accessible formats to people we believe to be influential, ultimately the appreciation and application of our work lies in the hands of others.

This paper is one of 164 papers that have each been reviewed and refereed by our peers and revised accordingly. While they each will have been presented briefly at the SOAC conference, they can now be read or re-read at your leisure. We hope they will stimulate further debate and discussion and form a platform for further research.

Adapted from the SOAC 7 conference proceedings introduction by Paul Burton and Heather Shearer

The State of Australian Cities (SOAC) national conferences have been held biennially since 2003 to support interdisciplinary policy-related urban research.

SOAC 7 was held in the City of Gold Coast from 9-11 December 2015. The conference featured leading national and local politicians and policy makers who shared their views on some of the current challenges facing cities and how these might be overcome in the future.