1. Position, position, position 

What is your city to me? In a competitive global environment, clarity of communication and evocative ideas about the future state of every city is a key challenge. We believe it’s essential to truly know the intrinsic advantages that different cities offer. This is what gives people a compelling reason for people to want to be there. 

2. Connectivity is (almost) everything

Many of the world’s great global cities of the world are defined, experienced through, and energised by, effective mass-transportation systems – think of New York, London and many others. Connectivity facilitates economic development, sustainability, employment creation and knowledge connectivity. Competitive global cities must be connected.

3. Accept and thrive on change

Great cites use change to their advantage. They celebrate their heritage while accepting that the status quo is not an option. London is the prime example of how it’s possible to keep a strong sense of city identity, protect what really matters, but also have an adventurous view about the future, take risks, and develop a city-wide spirit that accommodates change.

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5. Agglomeration is a strategy

Investors don’t look at countries, states or provinces when making investment decisions; they look at cities. Healthy cities are invested in, and the regions surrounding those cities benefit.

An agglomeration strategy – joining together nearby smaller cities – leads to the overall widening of markets, deepening of labour pools, and the ability to develop more specialised cities, which can lead to innovation and the potential for global leadership in those specific areas.

8. Creativity and culture counts

Cultural precincts, creative clusters, festivals and events are part of what the global consumer and investor expects to find and enjoy in a global city. Australian cities already excel in this area but there are still more opportunities.

9. The public realm is the city

People visit, and choose to stay and invest in a city, primarily because of the experiences they have in the public realm. A high-quality public realm is essential for truly competitive cities.

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As Australia’s cities continue seeking strategies to improve their quality and competitiveness, the question is raised: are there any common threads that all cities can embrace at some level? We think so.

Our complete guide to driving global competitiveness through strategic thinking and design is available now.

Download your copy of ‘Shaping Australian Cities‘ by clicking the thumbnail below.