This session reports on a project that challenges the orthodoxy of property densification, following investigation of the future of the city centre in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and Newcastle New South Wales, Australia. During the covid period, urban design literature asserted that city centres need more public places and particularly green spaces. However, there is little evidence of a change in strategy in the post-covid era. This project explores alternatives to increasing densification, to enhance people’s mental and physical health, and enjoyment of city centres, while mitigating the effects of climate change. This is in the context of the fourth industrial revolution and reduced demand for commercial and retail buildings. The session will use visual information, from the two Newcastles, and other cities in Europe and the Americas, to explore what is happening in densification trends following the pandemic. It will explore the principles involved in city centre transformation that establish any particular strategy, but most importantly creating place and making it last. There will be a short presentation of findings that poses questions for discussion among the participants, enabling them to express issues that are important to them. The discussion could include environmental, social, political and economic perspectives.
