Green Promises, Grey Realities: The Politics of Park Provision in Sydney

This doctoral research investigates the provision of parks in Sydney, Australia, amid shifting urban density and land uses. As the city intensifies through both brownfield and greenfield development, the ability of planning systems to deliver accessible, functional open space is under increasing strain. Despite the growing policy emphasis on liveability and urban greening, little is understood about how state and local governments navigate the complex decision-making environments that shape new park provision. Using a qualitative methodology — comprising a pilot, a two-round Delphi study, and semi-structured interviews with 17 state and local government planners — this thesis explores the institutional, structural, and funding mechanisms that underpin park delivery across a constrained regulatory context. The research identifies six critical elements for effective delivery of open space provision: funding, land availability, community input, open space standards, scalable frameworks, and innovation. This research contributes original empirical evidence and a nuanced understanding of the tensions between land value, policy ambition, and urban equity. It advances planning theory by illustrating how spatial models of urban intensification intersect with governance structures and community expectations around access to nature. Ultimately, it argues that stronger cross-sector collaboration and adaptable planning frameworks are essential to ensure that park systems remain inclusive, connected, and resilient in the face of urban transformation. This is essential if cities and city-dwellers are to remain healthy, sustainable and adaptive into the future.

Author dc:creator

• Taylor, Megan Kate

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
• The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
• © 2025 Megan Kate Taylor
• au.edu.uts.lib/cph

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190932

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.lib.uts.edu.au:10453/190932