Urban Change Readiness

Evidence-based understanding of community preparedness for transformational urban change

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Methodology

To understand Urban Change Readiness in our cities, THI established the Step Change Cities Partnership. This Partnership is a cross-system and multi-state collaboration that seeks to:

  • UNDERSTAND community preparedness for transformational urban change 

  • EXPLORE ways to better equip practitioners and key stakeholders to lead urban transformation 

  • TEST Studio THI’s already developed tools and programs and identify other needs 

  • SHARE knowledge and learning with the sector and shape a community of practice

Urban Change Readiness Index

Studio THI’s Urban Change Readiness Index was implemented in 4 local government areas (LGAs) of Cairns, Ballarat, Penrith and Hume.

The Index built an evidence-based understanding of each community’s preparedness for urban change across three Domains and eight Indicators. It explored each community’s understanding and knowledge of sustainable urban change, sentiment towards likely change scenarios and confidence in the system to manage change well.

Data for the Index was gathered through a 30-minute online community survey that was tailored to explore the specific urban transition themes in each LGA. The survey was distributed to a recruited and incentivised sample of between 130-300 community members in each city, in total capturing the views of 780 residents across the four cities.

Index Domains

  • Urban Change Literacy measures Level of urban change awareness, sentiment towards anticipated growth and knowledge of sustainable urban change concepts, challenges and benefits.

  • Place (Re) Attachment measures the level of place attachment and responses to potential future urban change scenarios.

  • System Actors’ Capacity and Capability measure confidence in the system to manage change well and collaborate on transition challenges

  • By having a detailed understanding of capacity, awareness and acceptance of change across our community, we can take a much more resolved and resolute plan to talk to our stakeholders around specific issues in targeted areas.

    Ed Johnson, Cairns Regional Council

  • It is amazing that across three states and thousands of kilometres, there are such similarities, but enough nuances to show the importance of a tailored approach

    Andy Johnson, Manager City Strategy at Hume City Council

Previous Report

In 2023, THI partnered with 14 leading organisations from across local and state governments, peak bodies and the private sector support to implementation of Studio THI’s Urban Change Readiness Index in 4 local government areas (LGAs) of Cairns, Ballarat, Penrith and Hume.