Stay up to date with news coverage and commentary from members of the Initiative, along with our newsletter featuring the director’s update, recent research grants and upcoming events.
Australian Arts Review spotlights the launch of Field Rooms in Waterloo — a creative community space embedded within an active construction site. Professor Nicole Gurran joins the residency selection panel, supporting this innovative approach to regenerative public art and place-based creative practice.
ABC Online explores strategies to ease rental pressures, including mandating affordable housing contributions from developers. Professor Nicole Gurran supports the approach, noting that incentive schemes tend to be inconsistent and only effective in select markets.
ABC Online reports on a renewed call to address the housing crisis by increasing urban density. Professor Nicole Gurran joins the discussion, weighing in on the Grattan Institute’s recommendation to allow three-storey developments across all residential zones.
The Sydney Morning Herald features an opinion piece by Professor Nicole Gurran cautioning that proposals to deliver 67,000 new homes annually could backfire without realistic planning reforms and industry capacity. She argues that bold targets must be matched by feasible delivery mechanisms to avoid worsening the housing crisis.
702 ABC Sydney interviewed Professor Nicole Gurran about Airbnb’s impact on housing supply. She noted that around 3,000 full homes in Sydney are listed on Airbnb - almost double the city’s rental vacancy rate, and supported tighter controls like night caps to ease pressure on the housing market.
The Fifth Estate covers the Timber Debate at Circular Disruption, noting the use of a debate format inspired by Professor Nicole Gurran. The format was previously used to explore housing abundance and affordability at a recent Festival of Urbanism event.
ABC Central West reports on the Festival of Urbanism event in Orange, focusing on housing strategies for regional Australia. Professor Nicole Gurran joined the program to share insights.
Inside State Government highlights Canberra’s upcoming forum on regenerative urbanism, part of the national Festival of Urbanism 2025. Hosted by the Henry Halloran Urban and Regional Research Initiative, the event will explore how the nation’s capital can evolve to meet social and environmental challenges.
The Fifth Estate covers the housing debate at the University of Sydney’s Festival of Regenerative Urbanism, where six panellists delivered sharp insights in a fast-paced four-minute format. The event spotlighted the intensifying political climate around housing.
SBS reports on a dramatic surge in city-to-regional migration. Professor Nicole Gurran highlights that rising demand is pushing low-income households further afield. The research calls for stronger regional infrastructure, targeted renter support, and improved coordination across all levels of government.
The Sydney Morning Herald explores the rise of shop-top living along Parramatta Road. Professor Nicole Gurran notes that while demand for such properties isn’t new, high redevelopment costs remain a key barrier.
SBS TV explores the impacts of the First Home Buyer Guarantee scheme. Professor Nicole Gurran cautions that the initiative may not significantly ease the housing crisis, despite helping some renters enter the market sooner.
ABC Online reports on the expansion of the Federal Government’s First Home Guarantee program. Professor Nicole Gurran raises concerns the move could drive up property prices rather than improve housing affordability.
ABC Online reports on renewed debate over a proposed housing plan in Woollahra. Professor Nicole Gurran cautions there’s “no guarantee” the 10,000 promised homes will materialise, noting that in high-value areas, developers often prefer building less, not more.
The Sydney Morning Herald examines the costs and rules of building a home. Professor Nicole Gurran argues that it’s not regulations holding back housing supply, but a sluggish market delaying already-approved developments.
The Daily Telegraph reports on the continued trend of regional migration, citing Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) research. Professor Nicole Gurran highlights the long-term shift of Australians moving from cities to regional areas since 2007.
ABC South East NSW interviewed Professor Nicole Gurran about the role of caravan and holiday parks in addressing housing needs, highlighting a Bega Valley proposal to offer 98 long-term lease sites as part of the affordable housing mix.
ABC Online reports that the Federal Government is standing firm on negative gearing amid mounting pressure for reform. Professor Nicole Gurran warns the current approach risks missing key housing targets.
Echonetdaily reports that stronger renter protections and more affordable housing are needed in regional areas like Byron Bay. Professor Nicole Gurran recommends reinvesting short-term rental levies into affected communities and using short-term rentals for emergency housing where appropriate.
Canberra CityNews reports that most Airbnb hosts surveyed only manage one property, with many unlikely to switch to the long-term rental market. Professor Nicole Gurran noted key barriers preventing owners from moving between markets.
ABC Illawarra reports that while short-term rentals have plateaued in major cities, coastal areas like Kiama and the Shoalhaven continue to see growth. Professor Nicole Gurran, commissioned by the Australian Studies in Coastal Councils, offered insights on better planning for these trends.
Daily Mail reports that Airbnb hosts are unlikely to return properties to the long-term rental market despite new caps. Professor Nicole Gurran recently analysed the impact of short-term rentals in tourism hotspots and stated there were barriers for owners to move between markets.
2SM reports that short-term rentals are booming in coastal regions like Byron Bay, where nearly 18% of housing stock is now used for this purpose. Professor Nicole Gurran attributes the rise to a broader tourism boom.
Sydney Morning Herald highlights coastal towns with high Airbnb listings. Professor Nicole Gurran notes that while many homes are used for short-term letting, data limitations make it difficult to assess whether there has been a genuine increase in holiday homes.
Ti Network reports on Iwan Sunito’s property investment strategy in Sydney’s Five Dock. Professor Nicole Gurran describes the suburb as an ideal example of how integrated planning and public transport can foster an inclusive, high-value urban centre.
Investasi Properti covers Iwan Sunito’s upcoming mid-rise mixed-use development in Five Dock, Sydney. Professor Nicole Gurran praises the area’s evolution, describing it as inclusive and of high value.
Jatim Media highlights Iwan Sunito’s strategic investment in Sydney’s Five Dock. Professor Nicole Gurran supports the transformation, noting the area’s potential as an inclusive and high-value urban precinct.
Tribunnews reports on Iwan Sunito’s property investment success in Sydney. Professor Nicole Gurran highlights the transformation of Five Dock as an example of inclusive, high-value urban development.
Warta Ekonomi reported on Iwan Sunito’s trillion‑rupiah property investment strategy.** Professor Nicole Gurran emphasised the importance of inclusive and high-value developments, citing Five Dock as a positive example.
ABC reports on the NSW budget’s apartment initiative. Professor Nicole Gurran shared her insights on how the policy tackles financing challenges but only addresses a small part of the broader housing problem.
The Sydney Morning Herald explores innovative apartment design in Sydney, featuring insights from Professor Nicole Gurran and strata law specialist Amanda Farmer.
ArchitectureAU republishes an article by Professors Nicole Gurran and Emeritus Professor Peter Phibbs arguing that blaming planning regulations for the housing affordability crisis overlooks deeper systemic issues that need addressing to improve access to affordable housing.
ABC Hobart interviewed Emeritus Professor Peter Phibbs about Tasmania’s rental market, discussing key pressures and planning challenges impacting affordability and supply.
The Lismore App reports on new research into disaster-resilient housing following the 2022 floods. Professor Nicole Gurran says the findings offer a framework to guide future planning and recovery efforts.
7 News reports on housing density success stories across the city. Professor Nicole Gurran highlights areas like Pyrmont, Green Square, and Rouse Hill as examples of well-managed urban den
ABC interviews Professor Nicole Gurran on the impact of short-stay rentals. She discusses how platforms like Airbnb are contributing to housing shortages across NSW.
ABC covers a new federal housing advisory council report warning Australia is unlikely to meet its housing targets. Professor Nicole Gurran discusses the long-standing issues contributing to the national housing crisis.
Afndaily explores emerging opportunities in Australia’s short-term rental market. Professor Nicole Gurran notes that while investor interest is growing, accurate data on real returns -especially from luxury listings - remains difficult to access.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports on the most profitable areas for short-term rental investments. Professor Nicole Gurran cautions that reliable data on actual revenue from these properties remains hard to obtain.
Realestate highlights the growing demand for larger apartments as families priced out of houses turn to units. Professor Emeritus Peter Phibbs notes that Sydney developers have long focused on the investor-preferred two-bedroom format.
The Australian Financial Review reports Castle Group’s $119.5 million acquisition of a 41.32-hectare site in Austral, southwest Sydney, with plans to build 550 homes near the upcoming Western Sydney Airport. Professor Nicole Gurran is quoted in the article, offering insight on the planning and housing implications of such large-scale developments.
BBC News interviewed Professor Nicole Gurran on the 2025 Australian federal election. She discussed the housing affordability crisis and what’s at stake for voters concerned about access to secure and affordable homes.
ABC 24's Weekend Breakfast featured Professor Nicole Gurran, discussing the implications of the federal election result on housing reform. She spoke about what the outcome could mean for renters and the broader push for housing policy change across Aus
AdNews reported on the expansion of digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising beyond major cities, highlighting Australia's global leadership in the sector. The article mentioned research led by Professor Nicole Gurran, which explored the intersection of urban environments, planning, and the evolving role of public space in media and advertising.
On Triple U FM, Colin Hesse interviewed Professor Nicole Gurran about the housing policies of different political parties ahead of the Australian federal election. She provided expert analysis on their potential impact on affordability and supply.
On ABC NewsRadio Drive, Professor Nicole Gurran discussed housing policy, emphasising that it is possible to deliver more affordable and appropriate housing if governments clearly define the types of homes communities need.
The Australian reported that key housing policies from both Labor and the Coalition are expected to push house prices higher. Professor Nicole Gurran was quoted, offering expert commentary on the likely consequences of these policies. The article was syndicated across News Corp publications.
The Canberra Times reported on concerns that short-term government housing schemes, while helping buyers like Bella enter the market sooner, may leave them financially worse off in the long run. Professor Nicole Gurran was quoted, highlighting the risks of relying on "sugar hit" policies instead of addressing structural housing issues.
The Financial Analyst explored the global impact of Airbnb on housing markets and neighbourhood dynamics. The article referenced research led by Professor Nicole Gurran, highlighting how short-term rental platforms can disrupt local communities and reduce long-term housing availability.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the federal government's Help to Buy scheme, describing it as a potential "game changer" for home buyers. Professor Nicole Gurran noted that the scheme could expand access to home ownership for key workers and low- to moderate-income earners.
ABC Online reported on housing as a key election issue, with voters increasingly concerned about home ownership becoming out of reach. Professor Nicole Gurran was interviewed, offering insights into the policies on offer and what’s needed to address the housing
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the growing trend of homeowners building granny flats to generate extra income and help pay off mortgages. Professor Nicole Gurran noted that granny flats have become an increasingly popular solution for housing affordability and rental supply.
On ABC Sydney, Professor Nicole Gurran discussed the benefits of build-to-rent housing, emphasising its potential to improve affordability and provide long-term stability for renters.
ABC News reported on plans for NSW’s largest build-to-rent project, a $1.5 billion development in Marrickville. Professor Nicole Gurran highlighted that build-to-rent housing can provide renters with greater security and long-term stability.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the property boom in Bowral, NSW, highlighting rising home prices and growing demand. Professor Nicole Gurran noted that price increases have been driven by regional migration, raising concerns about housing affordability and infrastructure capacity.
Domain reported on the growing demand for regional housing as Australians seek more space, leading to infrastructure strain in these areas. Professor Nicole Gurran noted that rising property prices have made affordability a key concern, emphasising the need for better planning and investment in regional infrastructure.
ABC Online reported on the Albanese government's $10,000 tradie bonus aimed at supporting tradies and addressing the housing crisis. Professor Nicole Gurran provided insights on the initiative's potential impact on housing supply.
On Evenings with Sarah Macdonald and Christine Anu, Professor Nicole Gurran discussed the demolition of the iconic 'AC/DC' house, reflecting on its cultural significance and the broader impacts of urban redevelopment.
This article highlights key research on gender, cities, and planning. Despite some progress, recent research suggests that the ‘gender agenda’ remains incomplete, likely due to failures and inequalities in planning schools themselves.
Feminist researchers have long critiqued failures to consider gender in urban planning and design. Broadly speaking, this work highlights three concerns:
• How the spatial arrangement and design of cities, neighbourhoods and homes reflect and reinforce gender norms, impede women’s mobility, and limit economic opportunities;
• Physical safety / exposure to violence, particularly in public spaces; and
• Under-representation in political and leadership roles and or planning processes.
Although earlier writing focused on gender based differences, more recent work emphasises that gender intersects with other factors – such as race, class, age, ability – to mediate needs and experiences of the city.
The current housing crisis has renewed debates about how to regulate short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb. The international research on the impact of these rentals is clear: when landlords “host” tourists rather than residents, housing supply is depleted, rents rise and neighbourhoods change.
Given Australia’s dire shortage of rental housing, restricting short-term rentals seems like a no-brainer. New research published this week showed the share of rental properties under $400 per week has fallen to 15% in most capital cities – half of what it was a year ago.
We’ve long studied these issues, watching as major cities around the world – from New York to Berlin to Barcelona – have enacted strong laws designed to protect local housing supply and neighbourhoods.
But do they even work? And would controlling short-term rentals solve Australia’s long-term rental crisis?
The federal Labor government has promised to craft a national housing and homelessness plan and to fund new social housing, returning Canberra to a field it all but abandoned for a decade. A new Productivity Commission report is scathing about current arrangements and calls for far-reaching change.
Yet some of the report’s key recommendations rest on faulty assumptions and outdated economic thinking. It relies on a misplaced belief that the market will respond to low-income households’ need for affordable housing. Its faith in deregulation as a cure-all is misguided.
The experience of recent decades and a wealth of research evidence instead point to the need to increase government investment in public and community housing.
