Transforming communication and decision making practices for sustainable renewal of urban transport infrastructure

Abstract

Renewal of urban transport infrastructure faces many challenges such as shortage of funding and poor redevelopment decisions. The variety of stakeholders involved brings about different communication protocols as well as competing interests. This affects the understanding, agreement and collaboration on sustainable measures and deliverables. Short-term focused and reactive decision-making in professional silos is a symptom of such problems in Australia. As the source for infrastructure funding shifts from governments to end users, how to engage community groups, identify issues, harness collective input and communicate actions should be on top of the agenda. Advancement of web technologies presents the feasibility of developing a social-media compatible portal for communication and engagement of all involved stakeholders. Characteristics and key issues of urban renewal need to be explored together with decision making patterns and approaches. This will inform the industry to change old practices to innovative decision making, in order to optimise goals of sustainability, public policies, private investors’ priority and community interests