Mark Evans and Gerry Stoker write in The Conversation (28.4.16) about Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s ambition for Australia to adopt the British government’s ‘City Deals’ model of urban planning and development, with its emphasis on interconnected and innovative ‘smart cities‘.
‘Will this budget mark the inception of a new deal for Australian cities? And will it herald a new dawn for Australian local democracy? Addressing the Australian Public Service in the Great Hall of Parliament on April 20, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull chose to emphasise that “smart cities” would be the engine room of innovation and growth in Australia’s new economy to be delivered through the concept of “City Deals”.
‘Turnbull said: “The ‘City Deal’ approach used in the United Kingdom has been instrumental in the renaissance of Manchester and Glasgow, and we believe there are many elements that can be applied in Australia”.‘
‘But what is the value proposition underpinning the “City Deal”? And can it be applied here in Australia?’
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