New Development Seeks to Reclaim Sydney's Position as a Global City

Lew Sichelman reports on the lofty goals being pursued by a new $6.2 billion live/play/work development known as Barangaroo - planned for a 54-acre site in East Darling Harbor - which aims to redefine Sydney.

1 minute read

August 31, 2012, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


With goals of "reinvigorating Sydney's position as a global city and a hub of Asia Pacific commerce," while becoming the first development project of its size in the world to be climate positive, Barangaroo has its work cut out for it.

"Still owned by the state, Barangaroo-named for one of the wives of
Bennelong, the first Aboriginal chosen as a representative to the
British government (lore has it she was the feisty one who refused to
wear European clothes or drink European wine)-will restore public access
to the entire harbor along an unbroken 8.7-mile (14 km) stretch of land
from Wooloomooloo Bay on the north, past the iconic Sydney Opera House,
under Harbour Bridge, and ending at South Darling Harbour," reports Sichelman. 

At the southern end, the project will include a much-needed expansion of the city's central business district. A residential district will unite this section with a 20 acre park, that "will have expansive views, bush walks within the park through native
trees and bush, walking paths along the water, picnic areas, tidal
pools, and access for small boats." 

With construction, which began last October, expected to take 12 years to complete, it may be a while before we know the results of Sydney's ambitious vision. 

Thursday, August 23, 2012 in Urban Land

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking in downtown St. Louis, walking past shops.

Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment

The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.

November 1, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

construction near Boston, with machinery digging at large pit.

Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes

Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.

6 hours ago - GBH

A bridge over the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval

The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.

7 hours ago - WTOP News

A crowd of people cheering for an unseen performer.

‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds

Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.

November 10 - Chicago Sun Times

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.