What's the State of Australia's Cities?

A new report issued by the Australian Government analyzes the changing demographics of the country's largest cities, home to 77 percent of its population, and looks at their progress in increasing productivity, sustainability and liveability.

1 minute read

December 11, 2012, 1:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


The report released last week, "State of Australian Cities 2012", is the third in a series of annual Australian Government publications reporting on the progress of the country's cities. Among the nuggets captured by the 2011 census: housing prices in urban environs and the numbers of families living in high-density dwellings continues to rise. Also notable: "New houses in Australia are possibly the largest in the world, eclipsing the United States."

The report also looks at governance in Australia’s major cities and, for the first time, evaluates the progress of cities in meeting the goals set forth in the country's National Urban Policy, which was released in May 2011.

"Within the document an urban design protocol for Australian cities, Creating Places for People – is a web-based tool that establishes 12 broadly agreed principles for quality urban places in the Australian context. It is intended that these principles be applied to any project or location – whether in a large capital city, regional centre or rural town. The aim is 'to create productive, sustainable and liveable places for people through leadership and the integration of design excellence’."

Thursday, December 6, 2012 in Architecture & Design

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today