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https://theconversation.com/how-our-regions-can-help-make-australias-growing-cities-more-sustainable-240330>
"The way we organise our cities and regions creates problems everywhere. We’re
facing difficult and polluting drives to work, a lack of affordable housing,
and urban designs that lead to car dependency and are bad for our health.
For example, poor levels of walkability are associated with higher rates of
obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Parks and greenery are
associated with better mental and cognitive health.
Australian cities sprawl. Many suburbs are hard to get to by public transport
or cycling and walking.
Our sprawling cities use a lot of land per person. Their resource use and
carbon footprints are massive. They also produce huge amounts of waste.
To resolve such issues, government planners should think beyond our capital
cities. Australia needs to develop strategies that connect these capitals with
surrounding regional cities to create “megacity regions”.
It’s a settlement model that could work better than our big cities do now,
making urban growth more sustainable. The emergence of hybrid work, fast
internet and high-speed rail favours this form of settlement."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
