The Joe Walker Podcast Lucy Turnbull — Urbanism, YIMBYism, and Solutions to Australia's Housing Crisis (Bonus Live Episode)
May 30, 2024
Lucy Turnbull, urbanist and first female Lord Mayor of Sydney, discusses strategic city planning and housing crisis solutions. Topics include Sydney vs Melbourne urbanism, balanced development strategies, virtual reality for innovation, influential streets, and innovative housing solutions.
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Lucy’s Unusual Career Mix
- Lucy was the first female Lord Mayor of Sydney and chaired the Committee for Sydney before leading the Greater Sydney Commission.
- Her background mixes law, urbanism and tech investing, informing her perspective on housing and cities.
Polycentric Growth Reduces Inequity
- Growing multiple connected centres avoids concentrating land-value pressure in one core.
- The Metropolis of Three Cities approach spreads jobs, services and growth to reduce spatial inequity.
Interwar Medium-Density Success
- Australia used to build plentiful medium-density three- to four-storey flats in the 1920s–30s near tram lines.
- Lucy recalls these interwar apartment blocks as an urban form the country executed well and should revive.