Australia

Officials in Sydney, Australia, are creating a blueprint for the city that envisions a broad mass transit system, increased density in the inner city and the suburbs and a much higher skyline.

A new study from the University of New South Wales has outlined a connection that suggests living farther away from central cities results in higher rates of obesity.

The transformation of Copenhagen from a car-choked thoroughfare to a lively, pedestrian center began in 1962 with the closing of the Strøget, and folks walked and biked in record numbers. Now architect Jan Gehl hopes to spread this new urban culture.

A town planner from Brisbane, Australia, has been crowned the beauty-queen face of an annual open-air motor racing event.

Transit-oriented development is catching on in Australia, as several projects spring up around Brisbane. The article is accompanied by a photo gallery of recent developments.

A new study warns that climate change will bring significant changes to weather patterns and coastlines, with serious planning implications for Sydney, Australia.

Commuters in Sydney, Australia are risking fines rather than waiting in traffic. Along one stretch of highway, over 1000 cheaters were documented in just one hour.

Facing what he sees as an extreme gender imbalance, the mayor of an Australian town has urged ugly women to move into town, assuring them they'll be able to find a man.

Boing Boing reports on Axel Peemoeller's award-winning parking lot design, which has giant words that snap into focus when you stand (or drive) in the right position.

Wendell Cox looks at commuting patterns, and finds that the old supposition that most commuters are going from suburban housing to urban jobs no longer holds water.

A recent report by The Australian Commission of Children and Young People reveals that kids in Sydney are too afraid to play outside or ride the bus.

If jobs and services are reoriented and public transport rethought, sprawling cities like Melbourne can mitigate the consequences of dwindling energy supplies, argues a recent column.

Melbourne, Australia, has its own brand of suburban sprawl: suburbia without the space. A new comprehensive plan aims to address the woes of suburban Melbourne, but some say it doesn't go far enough.

After a decade spent redesigning the public realm, Melbourne, Australia is a haven of people-oriented development and mobility.

Officials in Melbourne, Australia, are so frustrated with the city's lackluster planning process that they are pushing for the creation of a new planning authority -- one they hope will look at the "big picture".

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore has suggested that the road be demolished, and a recent report from planning experts indicates the plan would not bring the city's traffic to a halt.

A major plan to improve Sydney's walkability, urban design and public transit system have been applauded throughout the city. The only problem is figuring out how to pay for it.

A recently announced $12.5 billion metropolitan rail system plan for Sydney has many in the region excited about finally getting a good mass transit system. But they are also wary, as many other proposals promising similar services were never kept.

This video from StreetFilm shows the extensive traffic calming efforts taken by one beach community in Australia.

A severe drought in Australia has cut into the country's wheat production -- and pushed prices up all over the world.