The Centre for Developing Cities, based at the University of Canberra, draws on Australia’s significant achievements in urban management, and on international skills and experience to provide a program of education, research and consultancy. This program is aimed at ensuring that sustainable, quality urban development can be achieved even in circumstances of very rapid growth, increased reliance on private investment and a much reduced direct role for governments.
This approach to municipal planning and management issues is based on the philosophy that strengthening the institutions of governance, and assisting Local and State Governments to build effective partnerships with the private sector and communities, are essential steps in making modern, more market oriented economies function effectively and beneficially.
The education program of the Centre includes short courses, a Graduate Diploma and a Masters’ Degree of Urban Management. Subjects include urban development planning, urban politics and governance, designing sustainable development, urban finance, financial management and investment evaluation, managing urban systems and strategic planning.
Additionally, the Centre can design programs to suit organisational needs, which can be delivered on site. These programs are a series of workshops designed for ACT Urban Services in 1998 and 1999.
Topics covered in these workshops included Strategies for Success &endash; Canberra in the Global Economy, the National Competition Policy and the Regulatory Environment, Financing Urban Infrastructure and Services and Managing Government/Private Sector Relationships in Service Delivery.
The Centre has developed a strong relationship with the Institute of Municipal Management, cohosting a conference with the Institute in December last year. This conference explored issues currently facing Local Government internationally, the potential for members of the Institute to be involved in international consultancy and the quality assurance processes required.
For further information about the Centre for Developing Cities, contact Alison Adler, telephone (02) 6201 2315
Click here to visit the Centre for Developing Cities web site
