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Kaya,
Welcome to Issue 23 of Urban Scrawl. This edition opens with a new mural by Dan Bianco in Wolf Lane, Perth — a powerful reflection on identity, nature and resilience. The woman, partly veiled by leaves, seems to embody the same quiet strength and renewal that our cities strive for as they grow and adapt. A fitting image for a newsletter dedicated to rethinking how we live, build and connect. In Research Bites, we look to Helsinki, where the city has achieved what once seemed impossible — an entire year without a single traffic death. International Inspiration takes us from Perth to the world — with a look at the world’s most spectacular vertical gardens; street art that only appears when it rains; and Hawai‘i’s pioneering modular recovery homes in fire-stricken Lahaina. Back home, On the Ground Intel spotlights Anthony De Ceglia, CEO of Perth Bears, on why Perth is his city of choice. In Benchmarking Cities, we travel to Masdar City — Abu Dhabi’s living laboratory of low-carbon design — and our Quick Data feature reveals how something as simple as tree canopy can cool neighbourhoods by more than a degree.
Looking ahead, we’re excited that REMIX Summit 2025 will return to Perth this November at the WA Museum Boola Bardip. Part of a global series, REMIX connects our city with international thinkers in culture and innovation — a great complement to the Committee for Perth’s own 2050 Summit, our sold out event, taking place next week on Wednesday, 22 October.
We look forward to seeing you there, Committee for Perth Team |
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HELSINKI RECORDS ONE YEAR OF ZERO TRAFFIC DEATHS |
Helsinki has achieved something no other major cities can claim: a full year without a single traffic death. The milestone is credited to lower speed limits in residential areas, strict enforcement through new speed cameras, and a long-term “Vision Zero” strategy that redesigns streets to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. With over 1,500 km of bike paths and expanding public transport, the city has steadily shifted away from car-dependence — cutting annual traffic injuries from more than 700 in 2003 to just 14 in 2023. Helsinki proves zero deaths is possible with the measurements they took — it’s not just an aspiration. The question for Perth is how far will we go to redesign streets, enforce limits, and invest in safe, sustainable mobility to promote zero traffic deaths?
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INTERNATIONAL INSPIRATION |
GLOBAL IDEAS, LOCAL IMPACT: REMIX SUMMIT |
Perth is set to welcome the world once again as REMIX Summit 2025 takes place at Committee for Perth member WA Museum Boola Bardip on 11 November. Part of a global network of summits held in London, New York, Dubai and beyond, REMIX brings together leaders in culture, technology and entrepreneurship to share bold ideas shaping the creative economy.
For Perth, it’s more than an event — it’s an injection of international inspiration and a reminder of the power of global networking. By connecting our city to international thinkers and trailblazers, REMIX complements the Committee for Perth’s 2050 Summit, both platforms sparking dialogue on how Perth can grow, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
As REMIX unfolds inside the Museum’s striking spaces, it becomes clear: global conversations can enrich local vision, helping Perth imagine its future as a creative, connected and world-class city. |
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Vertical gardens have been bringing greenery back into cities for a while now — but the latest global examples show just how innovative they have become. Beyond their spectacular looks, these living walls cool buildings, clean the air, cut energy use and boost wellbeing. From Singapore’s lush Oasia Hotel to Sydney’s iconic One Central Park, cities are turning concrete jungles into vertical forests. |
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As Perth’s skyline grows taller, there are more opportunities for cooling gardens, similar to those already existing at Northbridge Piazza, Cloisters Square and some residential projects around Perth.
In the meantime, enjoy this list of the top 10 most spectacular vertical gardens around the world, curated by The Urban Design Lab. |
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STREET ART VISIBLE IN THE RAIN |
What if city streets turned into murals every time it rained? In Seoul, a group of designers launched Project Monsoon, painting sidewalks with hydrochromatic paint that only reveals itself when wet. |
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Inspired by Korea’s river culture, the artworks bloom with colour as rainwater flows through the streets, transforming grey, gloomy days into moments of surprise and joy.
Beyond brightening moods during weeks of monsoon rain, the project is also drawing new visitors eager to see the city’s hidden art come alive. Could we play with this idea and have illuminating artworks in dark streets to revive Perth’s nightlife? |
A NEW MODEL FOR RECOVERY: MODULAR HOMES FOR LAHAINA |
After devastating wildfires in 2023, the town of Lahaina, on the Island of Maui/Hawai’i, has come up with a new idea: instead of camps and shelters, they are building temporary modular homes for displaced residents where they can live until 2029. These units are designed to be rapidly built, safe, and comfortable, even featuring verandas and little gardens — providing families with stability while the long process of rebuilding unfolds.
This concept, whilst not without its controversies, offers a blueprint for how communities worldwide might respond to disasters that leave people without homes (if there is land to use). Quick-to-assemble, adaptable housing could become a critical tool for resilience in an era of climate-driven crises. |
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For this month’s On the Ground Intel, we caught up with Anthony De Ceglie, CEO of the Perth Bears NRL Franchise, who shares insights from someone who sees Perth with both the pride of a local and the perspective of someone who’s lived elsewhere. After several years in Sydney, Anthony has returned home to lead the new NRL team, the Perth Bears, bringing with him a renewed appreciation for the city’s ease, space and sense of community.
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You recently returned to Perth from Sydney, what have you enjoyed the most about Perth since your return? And how have you seen Perth change?
I have two young children (7 and 4) and I am sure they would both say they’ve enjoyed having a big backyard again. Being close to both sets of grandparents and family/friend support again has been wonderful. It’s easy to take it for granted, but it’s something you miss dearly when it’s not around. It really does take a village to raise children.
On a more superficial level, I love the ease of getting around Perth. Traffic in Sydney is an absolute nightmare. You also quickly forget how wonderful it is to live in a city without road tolls(!)
It’s the weekend, where will we find you? Spending as much time as possible with the family. We live in Mount Lawley so there’s beautiful parks and cafes everywhere. We always make time for swimming lessons and play dates with the kids’ friends on the weekend too. Come summertime, we will be in the pool most mornings and afternoons.
What’s your favourite street in Perth?
Beaufort Street in Mount Lawley (shout out to the amazing coffee at Lady Annie café) and I grew up in Fremantle, so the ‘Cappuccino Strip’ (South Terrace) will always have a very special place in my heart.
Do you think Perth is family friendly?
I think Perth is incredibly family friendly. Most of my recent career timeline has seen me slingshot between Perth and Sydney (and travel to most capital cities) and I genuinely believe there is no better city in Australia than Perth to raise a family.
If you could borrow one element—player, team tradition, or fan engagement strategy—from another club anywhere in the world, what would it be and why?
Brilliant question. I think the Brisbane Broncos and the strength of their branding is the envy of every sporting club in Australia right now. I think the Collingwood Magpies have done wonders in terms of proving how valuable letting fans behind-the-scenes can be. And I think the Welcome to Wrexham documentary has shown that taking people on a journey that shows an improbable rise warts-and-all can be a very powerful thing. As a whole, sporting clubs have a long way to go across Australia in truly opening up to fans. The NBA and the NFL in America prove how amazing it can be clubs lets fans and media have genuine access to players.
What is your long-term vision for the Perth Bears role in the city’s future?
The NRL is most-watched sport in Australia. For it to be a truly national competition it needs a powerful Perth club. My vision is to create a sustainable and successful new Perth club in the NRL that also pays respect to its two wonderful legacies; the North Sydney Bears and the NRL WA. I think it’s also important for Perth that we’re part of the most-watched code in Australia. Without a local team competing, there’s so many discussions over the kitchen table or at the pub or on the radio that Perth simply isn’t a part of. Why do you think sport is important for Perth? I think it goes hand-in-hand with our environment. The wonderful weather, the wide open spaces and the endless coastline give West Aussies so many reasons to be active. One last question. If you could do one thing to improve the Perth region, what would it be?
Probably two things come to mind. I think there is a general lack of grassroots sporting facilities (football fields, basketball courts etc). And, putting my arts-lover hat on, I still don’t think Perth has enough elite cultural institutions. The city could use another theatre, an updated Sate art gallery and more concert halls. |
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MASDAR CITY: A LIVING LAB FOR THE FUTURE |
In the desert outside Abu Dhabi, Masdar City is redefining what a sustainable urban district can look like. Conceived as a “city of tomorrow”, it blends cutting-edge green design with a thriving innovation hub. Buildings use 40% less energy and water than the regional average, constructed with low-carbon cement and 90% recycled aluminium. Solar farms, shaded streets, and green parks reduce heat and emissions, while walkable design and sustainable mobility projects aim to cut car dependency.
But Masdar isn’t just an experiment in low-carbon living — it’s also a tax-free and business-friendly zone, home to hundreds of start-ups, research labs, and global firms in clean tech, life sciences, and digital innovation. Its co-working spaces, education facilities, and cultural programs create a city designed as much for people as for technology.
For Abu Dhabi, Masdar City represents a bold benchmark: a living laboratory that shows how urban districts can balance sustainability, economic vitality, and quality of life — even in one of the world’s hottest climates. For Perth, where heat, car dependency and urban sprawl remain challenges, Masdar offers valuable lessons on how innovation, design and sustainability can come together to shape a cooler, more resilient future.
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Field tests across New Haven, Connecticut showed that increasing urban tree canopy cover by 10% could reduce ambient summer air temperatures by as much as 1.4C. A broader review of “canopy cooling” research reinforces this idea: trees cool via two main pathways — shade (reducing solar radiation on surfaces) and evapotranspiration (releasing moisture that absorbs heat).
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Scientists found canopy cover was associated with midday cooling of about 1.62 °C, and meaningful reductions throughout the day under clear skies.
Closer to home, Committee for Perth has argued for the same principles. In its July 2024 Submission on the State’s Urban Greening Strategy, it called for a consistent data platform to measure, track and set clear targets for canopy cover, vegetation quality, urban heat, soil health, and biodiversity value across the Perth and Peel region. |
READ: In her essay The Blind Side, writer Sabia Rasool reflects on growing up in Kashmir with vision in only one eye — and extends that metaphor to her homeland. Kashmir, she argues, also lives with a “blind side”: a carefully curated image of beauty and culture shown to the world, while the daily realities of checkpoints, raids, and loss are hidden from sight. (Portside Review)
WATCH: Melbourne hasn’t always looked like it does today – obviously. So where are all the old buildings gone that we know from black and white imagery? Why was so little preserved and are we looking at ‘old’ things differently today? (Netflix)
LISTEN: Reimagining unloved spaces takes us to Ljubljana/Slovenia where a group of locals introduce ideas that revive places without the predictable script of maximising economic return and squeezing in shops and parking. Instead, they experiment with how cities can become more liveable, more layered and more human. (Spotify)
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Committee for Perth conducts its work on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. We recognise their peoples' ongoing connection to land, culture and community and in doing so, pay our respects to Elders past and present. |
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