Smart cities, sustainable development, urban design and other technological advances are just some of the topics more than 200 students, academics and business leaders will discuss today at Co.Lab2018.
Held at Parramatta North’s heritage precinct, Co.Lab2018 is a Landcom and UrbanGrowth NSW Development Corporation annual showcase of research and learning initiatives. It is a unique forum to exchange ideas about innovations in urban research, learn more about collaborative research partnerships and start new conversations with colleagues and peers.
Landcom Chief Executive Officer John Brogden said Co.Lab was an important part of Landcom’s Research and Learning program that aimed to foster critical thinking, innovation and lifelong learning.
“Landcom is taking a leadership role on behalf of the NSW Government to improve the supply, diversity and affordability of new housing in Sydney and NSW, and creating sustainable and inclusive communities,” Mr Brogden said.
“This includes working collaboratively across government, academia, industry and the community to ensure that the cities of tomorrow are created using a strong and credible evidence base.
“Landcom doesn’t have all the answers, which is why our partnerships with universities, vocational education providers and schools are so important to help solve some of the issues we face when planning new communities.
“Young people today will be most affected by the significant urban challenges we face now and into the future, and some of the students presenting at Co.Lab2018 today will be the urban planners, architects and designers of tomorrow.”
UrbanGrowth NSW Chief Executive Officer Barry Mann said the event was taking place in the Parramatta North Growth Centre, which was undergoing significant urban renewal.
“With a key theme of Co.Lab2018 being Reflections on Place, this is an excellent opportunity to consider the rich history of Parramatta North, and how the past can help shape a shared vision for the future,” Mr Mann said.
“The location is fitting, as the NSW Government enters into negotiations with the University of Sydney to create a world-class multi-disciplinary campus on the Cumberland East and West hospital sites.
“This event presents an exciting opportunity for us to consider how we will continue to develop of shared sense of place and sustainable communities through innovation, learning and collaboration.”
Co.Lab 2018 would not be possible without the collaborative research and learning partnerships that Landcom has fostered over the past year through its unique University Framework Agreement.
University partners include: Western Sydney University, the University of Newcastle, the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Sydney, the University of NSW, Macquarie University, Southern Cross University and the University of Wollongong.
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