Discussion began with the current state of affairs in our sister cities on the East coast: Sydney and Melbourne.\u00a0 The inevitability of more congestion, inability to feasibly fund many new projects, the inequality between city dwellers and suburbanites over where public money is spent (mostly within the inner-city ring), and overly centralized employment structures were all mentioned as issues relating to city growth.\u00a0 The outcomes of which are the creation of a two-tier society comprising an inner city economically rich class and an outer suburban poorer class with inequality becoming more marked by job prospects and their locations within the current system.\u00a0 Leading inevitably to further serious social issues.<\/span><\/p>\n In Brisbane\u2019s case specifically, Peter mentioned how our extremely quick growth and different population density from other cities means that we could never expect to have a city that is similar in style to those in Europe.\u00a0 And, more importantly, he questioned why we would actually want to mimic a European city when many of these are not actually very livable either?\u00a0 Our extremely high rate of car use compared to other Australian cities, along with no real suburban working hubs like those in Sydney and Melbourne (apart from our CBD) where factors that Mr. Seamer quoted as being detrimental to our future sustainability here in Brisbane.<\/span><\/p>\n The solution?\u00a0 According to Peter, more public transport won\u2019t solve Brisbane’s issue of congestion and neither will higher subsidies for public transport.\u00a0 Autonomous vehicles are high on the list of what will assist us though, along with planning and social change to reduce the frequency and extent of travel.\u00a0 A move to localizing work within our suburbs and providing major suburban hubs to cater for this were also touted, as well as a move to higher rates of working from home and potentially charging more for travel as a deterrent.<\/span><\/p>\n Whilst many of Peter\u2019s points were valid, one can\u2019t help feeling that this view of our future city is based on the values and outlook of the baby boomer generation, not taking into consideration the rapid social changes and housing issues facing the 40 and under generations.\u00a0 Social issues and cultural value were not really discussed either.\u00a0 It will be interesting to read \u2018Breaking Point \u2013 Future of Australian Cities\u2019 to see if these absences are actually addressed within its pages.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Care of the Committee for Brisbane and hosted by Hopgood Ganim Lawyers supported by The Suburban Alliance<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.seedengineers.com\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/Breaking-Point-News-2.jpg\")
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