Future Tense Are we turning the housing crisis into a living crisis?
Oct 9, 2025
Dr. Annette Kroen, a Senior Research Fellow specializing in urban challenges, teams up with Dylan Reid, an urbanist and co-founder of Spacing Magazine. They unpack the critical shortage of amenities in new suburbs, highlighting the risk of social isolation. Reid critiques the disconnected design of residential areas that lack main streets, weakening community ties. The duo emphasizes the need for walkable neighborhoods and accessible services to create livable environments, making a case for smart density that protects green space while enhancing urban resilience.
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Rapid Urban Growth Shifts Living Patterns
- Australian capitals grew almost twice as fast as the rest of the country last year, driven by internal migration.
- Inner-city popularity has risen sharply over the past 20 years, changing metropolitan population patterns.
Build Essential Amenities Early
- Provide basic amenities early in new suburbs like shops, schools and bumping spaces to avoid residents driving long distances.
- Plan for some community places from the start so neighbours can meet and build social ties.
Third Spaces Are Vital For Connection
- 'Third spaces' and incidental 'bumping spaces' both matter for social cohesion in new suburbs.
- Footpaths and parks alone fail to create connection if destinations and active uses are missing.