18. Directions for Planning Sustainable Cities

This chapter examines the conclusions from the analyses on planning within the three case study districts of Greater Sydney (Sydney Inner West, Greater Parramatta and St George) (Chaps. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17). The chapter acknowledges the Local Government (Council Amalgamations) Proclamation 2016 proposed mergers and expanding the boundaries of nominated councils noted in Chap. 2. The first conclusion reached was that the State needs to further address the impact of development under the three planning principles (as assessed in earlier chapters) with specific reference to A Plan for Sydney’s Growth (NSW 2014). The second conclusion reached, that new planning arrangements among Councils and the State are needed in planning the Greater Sydney districts, is also addressed. Suggested new planning arrangements focus on six options for planning at municipal and district levels. Comments are then offered on State planning directions for planning a sustainable Greater Sydney. The chapter, finally, addresses how sustainable urban planning (SUP) practices can be used to achieve a sustainable city anywhere. A sample range of planning guidelines are offered for any city in the world to consider to move in the direction of achieving sustainability.