
Building City Resilience: Paving the Sustainable Path for Perth’s Future
In an era of rapid urbanisation, climate uncertainties, and evolving social dynamics, city resilience has become vital to urban planning.
In the sprawling metropolis of Perth, Western Australia, pursuing a sustainable and resilient cityscape has become a mission shared by both visionaries and pragmatic minds. At Mouve Real Estate, we’re dedicated to collaborating with developers and planners looking to forge a resilient, sustainable future for the city of Perth.
MOUVE Real Estate Founder and Director Sarah Beale GAICD “With the extensive cost of urban sprawl, Perth needs to move toward urban infill as it supports local businesses, brings our community closer, and resolves the costs of expanding the road and rail networks. As we move more towards single households, creating buildings that bring the occupants together is also vital to our community’s mental health and welfare. Developers now invest in community gardens, workshops, and communal BBQ areas, bringing people together within their urban infill developments. These also create an intrinsic link between amenities and the residents of a space and create a price point that allows people who previously couldn’t enter a suburb to enjoy the lifestyle the area offers.”
The Essence of City Resilience
City resilience isn’t a term that’s thrown around lightly. It signifies the capacity of a city to adapt, endure, and thrive in the face of challenges – be they environmental, social, or economic.
A resilient city effectively plans for and responds to inevitable changes while ensuring that the quality of life for its residents remains intact. As urban populations grow, creating livable spaces that withstand shocks and stressors becomes more urgent.
The Role of Future Developments
A cornerstone of city resilience lies in strategic urban development.
Well-planned, sustainable developments can significantly enhance a city’s capacity to adapt to future stressors while promoting a better quality of life for its inhabitants.
We want to play a role in ensuring that as Perth grows it thrives, which is why we’re committed to partnering with forward-thinking developers and planners who share a vision of creating positive, lasting impacts on communities. The agency’s dedication to facilitating collaboration between real estate professionals and sustainability-conscious stakeholders is a pivotal step toward building a more resilient Perth.
Challenges on the Path to Resilience
The journey toward a more resilient city has its hurdles. Balancing the interests of various stakeholders, incorporating innovative technologies, and adhering to strict environmental standards can pose substantial challenges. The delicate act of creating spaces that are functional and sustainable requires careful consideration and expertise.
But we also know that these challenges ignite innovation and foster opportunities for positive transformation. The collaboration between developers, planners, and real estate agencies offers a platform for creative problem-solving and the cultivation of resilient solutions.
Interview with Sustainability Ambassador Chiara Pacific
To gain further insights into the dynamics of building a resilient city, we had the pleasure of speaking with Chiara Pacific, a dedicated Sustainability Ambassador and consultant who has worked closely with property developers to integrate sustainability principles into their projects.
Question: Chiara, as someone who’s involved in the sustainable development landscape, how do you view the potential of Perth to become a resilient city?
“Over recent times, state and local government have started to take action to build resilience in our Cities and urban areas across the State. Confronted by impacts from a changing climate, governments have started to implement adaptation and mitigation plans that focus on reducing carbon emissions, ensure a resilient energy supply, enhance public transport options, and implement built form policy that improves the overall performance of our buildings. I’m positive about Perth’s ability to achieve improved resilience across these sectors because action has already commenced, and the benefits are wide-spread and enduring”
State Climate Resilient Policy:
State Planning Policy (including sustainability provisions):
Question: What key factors do you believe should be prioritised to ensure that future developments contribute to a more resilient Perth?
“With the built form responsible for 40 per cent of carbon emissions, the property sector has a pivotal role to play in delivering sustainable development that achieves net-zero carbon cities. Supporting circular economy procurement and working towards climate change mitigation will fast track our resilience now and in the future. Let’s also keep in mind that greener, better designed urban spaces and high performing, energy efficient buildings are healthier, more comfortable and affordable places to work and live in”
Question: How do you see Mouve Real Estate’s role in this journey?
“Mouve is poised to take a leading role by implementing sustainability practices within its organisation, educating staff and consultants about the benefits of sustainability features and lifestyles, and engaging future clients and the wider community on the merits for doing so. I am excited about Mouve and their ethos to do business better”.
The quest for a resilient cityscape is not merely an aspiration; it’s a collective responsibility that calls for the engagement of all stakeholders.
How can we all contribute to forging a more resilient and sustainable city for future generations who call Perth their home?
To learn more about city resilience from leading research, we recommend visiting the City Resilience Index.