The Western Parkland City Authority (WPCA) is the NSW Government agency responsible for delivering, coordinating and attracting investment to the Western Parkland City.
Over the next 20 years, the Western Parkland City will undergo a significant transformation as established centres of Liverpool, Greater Penrith and Campbelltown-Macarthur continue to grow, and the Bradfield City Centre will be developed as a new city near the 24/7 Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
WSP was engaged by the WPCA to assist in the development of the social sustainability component of its Corporate Sustainability and Resilience Strategy. Once complete, the strategy will express the organisation’s commitment to sustainability and resilience, and will provide guidance in delivering Australia’s greenest, most connected and technologically advanced city while maintaining the unique environment, culture and diversity.
WSP has been involved in several other projects contributing to accelerated growth in Western Sydney, including Western Sydney (Nancy-bird Walton) International Airport, The M12 Motorway, The Northern Road, and the Western Sydney Centres: Beyond Recovery report.
A city built on diversity
With growth and development activity spanning diverse neighbourhoods with varying demographics, it was important to the WPCA that social outcomes were carefully considered throughout development of the Strategy. Our team developed a detailed demographic profile of the existing and future community who will call the Western Parkland City home. Focus groups were used to engage residents of the Western Parkland City including young people and culturally and linguistically diverse community members, to ensure that the desires and local insights of the community were considered.
Evidence based solutions and metrics, for Future Ready outcomes
A key part of WSP’s approach involved case study research showcasing leading practice in realising social value as part of major renewal and infrastructure projects. The case studies offer insights into what works and provide guidance on outcomes, measures and potential targets.
Engagement across the WPCA highlighted the most salient and impactful opportunities to support positive social outcomes in and around the emerging Bradfield City Centre and the broader Western Parkland City.
Working through WSP’s Future Ready framework, we considered how key social and environmental trends will impact the most vulnerable members of the community. This includes changes in climate and weather events, and increasing populations, as well as an increased focus on healthy, sustainable, local, and accessible places for all. WSP’s Social Outcomes Framework (shown below) was central to informing the project, applying a Future Ready lens and anticipating trends, risks and opportunities.
Supporting social value for the Western Sydney community
We developed a social sustainability narrative for the strategy that speaks to five key focus areas, designed to support social value for the Western Parkland City community, and identified related objectives, targets and possible actions.
This involved research and engagement including analysis of policy and planning documents, Australian Bureau of Statistics data, population projections, Transport for New South Wales travel data, as well as community survey and focus group research, and engagement across the WPCA. WSP is proud to play a role in working alongside WPCA to help support positive social outcomes for the Western Parkland City.
To learn more, visit our Strategy, Community, and Place page or contact us.
