Kaya, Welcome to Issue 12 of Urban Scrawl! In this issue, we delve into the Summit of the Future in New York, examine a city with a community plan – Cary in North Carolina, explore the concept of 15-minute cities, and chat with renowned futurist Dr. Ben Hamer, plus so much more! With October being WA Bike Month, and Ride2Work Day falling on 16 October, it’s the perfect time to explore how countries like The Netherlands have integrated cycling into their daily lives. Full disclosure – as a Dutch native, my enthusiasm for cycling surpasses the norm; it’s practically in my DNA! If you’ve come across any research or videos, or if your organisation has ideas you would like to share, please let me know at francien.boom@committeeforperth.com.au. We enjoy exchanging interesting ideas with our members, who are just as curious and passionate about ways to improve our region as the team at Committee for Perth is.
Happy reading, Francien Boom Committee for Perth |
|
|
INTERNATIONAL INSPIRATION |
|
|
|
The United Nations Summit of the Future took place in New York in September. The purpose of the Summit was to create a Pact for the Future, covering some of the greatest global challenges including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, future generations, and more.
The Pact aims to ensure international institutions can continue to deliver in a world that has changed dramatically since they were created. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General said: “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built for our grandparents.” |
|
|
Leaders agreed to the first ever Declaration on Future Generations, which recognises ‘our obligations and putting in place steps to systematically take future impact into account, consciously avoiding foreseeable harm to, and safeguarding the interests of, future generations.’ Members who attended our Future Ready Forum in April this year with Sophie Howe, Wales’ first Future Generations Commissioner, will welcome this, and it is a reminder to consider our own commitment to future generations and long-term planning.
|
European countries, such as the Netherlands, have integrated cycling into their daily lives. A remarkably flat country, the Netherlands has an intricate network of cycle paths which make cycling an easy choice. The tipping point of the Dutch love story with cycling was in the early 1970’s, after a high number of child deaths on roads and an oil crisis led to government policies that restricted urban motor vehicles and focused on growth in other modes of transport. The bicycle was perceived as making streets safer and towns more liveable. The ‘Together we cycle’ trailer investigates the relatively recent critical elements that led to the revival of the Dutch cycling culture.
West Cycle, Western Australia's peak cycling advocacy group, has found that, "two thirds of all car trips in Perth [are] less than 5km, meaning most of these trips could be done by walking or riding a bike if people had safe places to do so." There are many benefits to investing in cycling including meeting emissions reduction targets, improving mental and physical health, boosting community connection and workplace productivity, while reducing traffic congestion and easing cost of living issues. |
|
|
|
Imagine living in a neighbourhood where everything you need – shops, schools, parks, work and healthcare – is just a 15 minute walk or bike ride away.
This urban planning concept, made famous by French professor Carlos Moreno in Paris (and even the subject of some wild conspiracy theories), aims to create healthier, more sustainable cities while addressing the inequalities caused by urban sprawl. |
|
|
A study by Nature Cities analysed 10,000 cities globally to identify those which have achieved the 15-minute city model. Thanks to compact and dense urban designs, Europe leads the way with the highest number of 15-minute cities. In Australia, where cities are largely designed around cars, no city has fully achieved this model yet. However, Hobart has come close, offering a 16-minute walk or a six-minute bike ride. Perth, on the other hand, is a 24-minute city.
Check out the interactive tool here. |
|
|
Wondered what adding a touch of Dutch to your street would look like? The above images (of Cockburn Road and St Georges Terrace) have been created using the Dutch Cycling Lifestyle AI tool to reinvent and Dutch-ify streets. While the technology is still in its infancy, the possibilities are exciting. |
📍 Cary, North Carolina, United States
Cary's claim to fame is its quality of life. Its accolades include: #1 Safest Affordable City in the US (2023), #1 Affordable Large US Metro with most six figure jobs (2023), #1 ‘most resilient” Economy in the Nation (2022). Sound familiar?
Cary is home to the Research Triangle, a region anchored by three major universities, and notable tech companies like Garmin and Xerox, alongside a community that balances big-city opportunities with comfortable small-town living. With the motto ‘live inspired’, Cary features high quality residential developments and community amenities which have fuelled its population growth from 8,000 in 1970 to over 187,000 in 2024.
The Cary Community Plan outlines a long-term vision, policies and strategic actions to guide Cary's growth through 2040. This is a city with a living, evolving plan. The Imagine Cary Community Plan, first established in 2017, is currently being revised and updated to build upon its foundations. The latest updates, which incorporate new insights and address contemporary challenges, will be introduced to the public on Tuesday, 22 October.
|
|
|
|
Dr Ben Hamer is an accredited futurist and formerly the Head of Future of Work at PwC Australia. He is an Adjunct Professor at Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law, a Board Member for the Australian HR Institute, and an elected Board Member at Netball NSW. On top of that he is the host of The ThinkerTank podcast, and has authored 'The Kickass Career'.
Ben is currently leading the research on Committee for Perth and Scitech's Perth 2050 report, which will be launched at the Future Ready Forum: Vision 2050 event. |
|
|
What’s your favourite street in Perth?
My favourite street is West Coast Highway and specifically, when driving north from Scarborough, coming over the crest and down the hill towards the south end of Trigg Beach. This is quintessential Perth for me.
The best way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Perth?
You’re probably sensing a theme here, but my favourite way to spend an afternoon in Perth is grabbing an iced latte and going for a walk along the coast, followed by a swim and then hanging out on the grass at Sorrento Beach with mates, ending it with fish and chips at sunset.
What’s your favourite corner in Perth? My favourite corner is the corner of North St and Elizabeth St in Cottesloe, purely for North Street Store. It’s a nod of nostalgia, reminding me of my local corner deli growing up in Greenwood, and also because of their famous cinnamon scrolls.
You’ve grown up in Perth. How have you seen it change over the years and how do you foresee it changing over the next few years?
Perth has changed a lot in some ways and a little in others. The lifestyle is still very similar and something I love. But the cityscape has evolved, the city’s global competitiveness has been elevated, the hospitality scene has had an uplift, and the Mitchell Freeway is undergoing never ending roadworks. Over the next few years, I think we’ll see: a move towards a greater adoption and integration of technology in how we live, work, and play; the growth of non-mining industries; a move towards more renewables; and plans for greater housing density to balance Perth’s population growth and limit further urban sprawl.
|
|
|
|
In August this year, electric vehicles accounted for 94.3% of all new car registrations in Norway. Despite being a major oil producer, the country has set ambitious targets for all new cars sold to be zero-emission by 2025. This is being realised through generous tax rebates, an abundance of hydropower, and significant investments in charging infrastructure. In Western Australia, electric vehicles made up 8% of new vehicle sales in the first half of 2024, compared to Australian Capital Territory where EVs accounted for 21.7%.
|
|
|
FROM THE COMMITTEE FOR PERTH RESEARCH LIBRARY |
What are the origins of self-confidence in childhood and adolescence, and what role do they play in the career progression of women? FACTBase - Bulletin 62: Filling the Pool Starts Early: Learnings from Queensland (2019) was initiated based on the findings of the Filling the Pool report, which aimed to examine gender differences in overall self-confidence, self-confidence development and career interests. The study found that boys and girls derive equal amounts of self-confidence from the same activities, with the three activities that predicted greatest self-confidence including travel, team sports, and participation in leadership development activities. Computer gaming and social media usage were identified as the greatest detractors from the development of self-confidence. Supporters of the Australian Government’s planned social media ban and Meta’s new Instagram Teen accounts can rejoice.
|
This newsletter is a complimentary benefit to members of Committee for Perth. Please feel free to share it with anyone within your organisation who might enjoy it. To ensure it arrives in your inbox, subscribe here. |
|
|
{YOURCOMPANY.NAME}
{YOURCOMPANY.ADDRESS} |
| |
|
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. |
|
|
|