Sustainable Sydney: Beyond the Harbor Views

Sydney, for many the gateway to Australia and Oceania, is one of the most spectacularly sited harbor cities in the world and is the undisputed economic and tourist capital of the land down under. It is exceptionally well-endowed with natural assets including more than 70 urban beaches, more than any other major world city. The city is flanked by two national parks, at its northern and southern edges, and is graced with one of the world’s largest natural harbors. Most of the land abutting the harbor is protected parkland which has been developed with scenic walking paths and bike trails. Throughout the urban area, including the central business district (CBD), parks and reserves are within easy walking distance.

Despite its overall reliance on cars, the city has an extensive, multi-modal system of public transit, and it is possible to live in most of Sydney without owning a car. Still, with an ever growing population, the strain on roads has caused a worsening of traffic jams, lending credence to the need for a paradigm shift in urban planning.

Transportation in Sydney

Like the United States, Australian transportation tends to be dominated by private automobiles operated over public infrastructure (e.g. bridges, streets and highways). Although this is true in Sydney, with 53% of residents commuting to work by car, the city has the highest percentage of transit users in Australia. The city’s matrix of public transit includes Sydney Buses, the city’s preponderant mode, City Rail, and Sydney Ferries, with seven lines emanating out from Circular Quay.

Circular Quay is also the main hub of City Rail, which provides the city with a commuter-based heavy rail service. City Rail, despite being a convenient and comfortable method of travel within certain areas of the city and many distant suburbs, lacks service to certain other densely settled areas like high-profile Northern Beaches and Eastern Suburbs locales, its residents having to drive or take buses for everyday activities.

No Local Government in Sydney

Australian cities are not represented by local governments but by the state, yet have elected councils for planning and administration. This system has some commonality to that of U.S. cities which, under state charters, don’t have full control in matters of transportation but, nonetheless have some autonomy that local Australian jurisdictions do not. Accordingly, transportation and other key government services of Sydney are controlled by the state of New South Wales. Since the 1940’s, in reaction to Sydney’s large proportion of the state’s residents, the state government has worked to solidify its power by discouraging local governments from forming through variations of redistricting and other methods.

Scenic Nature Trails and Beautiful Beaches

With one of the world’s largest protected harbors and a complex pattern of coves and inlets, Sydney is graced with a cornucopia of pleasant and distinct neighborhoods, many with their own beach and reserve. One of the city’s most beautiful settings is the Pacific Ocean fronting ‘Bondi to Coogee Walk’, where the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is staged. Huge crowds descend upon the stunning coastline trail to see cutting-edge sculptures from the world’s most acclaimed sculpture artists.

Another amazing feature of Sydney are the outdoor pools at numerous beaches. These rock pools are naturally filled with ocean water and set in beautiful surroundings, and are free for all to enjoy. Most ocean beaches have ‘Surf and Lifesaver’ clubs, where legions of Sydney children learn how to swim, and people of all ages are taught to surf. The SLC’s are fitted with bathrooms, showers, and change rooms, befitting the leisure-oriented Aussie lifestyle where people are known to swim or surf the breakers just before or after work.

Strengthening Sydney’s Sustainability

In a 2012 Sydney Morning Herald article, a report by Price Waterhouse Coopers was published saying that Sydney was ranked fourth worst of the world’s most influential cities in terms of transport and infrastructure. However, by 2025, after years of renewed calls for smart solutions, the city has significantly improved its public transportation network, leading to lower congestion at numerous key locations. Sydney is on pace to continue adding sustainable transportation and infrastructure through 2032 and beyond.

The enormous livability of the city could be further enhanced by traffic calming and a deeper commitment to creating a robust active mobility network (urban bike trails). Its CBD could transition over time into a predominately pedestrian, bicycle, and transit zone, perhaps borrowing a few tricks from Paris and Copenhagen. It is hard to overstate the assets of Sydney, as there are many, and with some additional changes to urban planning the city can become even more livable as well as economically sustainable for the 21st century.