Terms of Reference for the intermediary cities inquiry
View the formal terms of reference for the Monash Commission inquiry into “The Liveable Metropolis: The future role of intermediary cities to deliver resilience, impact and prosperity”.
By preparing papers, conducting in-depth investigations and delivering a final report, the Monash Commission will present authoritative and evidence-based findings, ideas and proposals for the future of the liveable and vibrant metropolis by unlocking the true potential of intermediary cities.
The Commission will explore the concept of intermediary cities by providing definition and meaning to this term in connection with middle scale cities in advanced economies within Australia and globally.
The Commission will consider the role of an intermediary city in addressing existing societal challenges, and those emerging as a result of a COVID-19 influenced world, by driving sustainability, productivity and inclusion for the collective metropolis.
The aim of the Commission is to articulate essential attributes of intermediary cities through a variety of cross-cutting themes and case studies to inform and guide the development of the future urban agenda.
As an independent inquiry, the Commission will represent its findings and proposals in a fair and balanced way. The options it presents will have regard to any matter it considers relevant, including:
- design that equally represents the aspirations of many and improves the quality of life for a sustainable future;
- best practice policies that incentivise a region, or funders, to opt into intermediary development projects, shifting the paradigm from profit to societal value;
- experimental governance structures that are complementary to existing intergovernmental structures and governance;
- improving the resilience and innovation of urban infrastructure and communities to respond to rapid societal and environmental change;
- consideration of the role of Indigenous knowledge systems, cultures, lands, health and sense of place in the development of intermediaries.
- fostering sustainability with respect to water, resources and energy to help urban communities reduce climate impacts, generate low carbon energy sources and improve the efficiency of energy transmission;
- designing integrated transport corridors to create green, connected urban landscapes that encourage public transport use, promote active lifestyles and foster a sense of place;
- design and utilisation of integrated infrastructure networks to foster research, innovation and collaboration; and
- the function of anchor institutions (e.g. libraries, universities, TAFEs, major employment centres, sporting facilities, research entities and other cultural and civic institutions) as well as public and private spaces in activating thriving communities and participation.
The Commission is able to commission expert papers across particular themes or attributes of intermediary cities that require particular analysis, culminating in publishable reports with recommendations to be used by Commission members to inform the discussion and development of their own findings and recommendations.
The Commission will facilitate discourse that brings together experts, industry, government, business and community leader representatives, and to explore ways to foster transformational intermediary cities now and into the future.
At the end of the agreed period, it will deliver a final report to Monash University. The Commission will make the report public, along with other publishable artefacts such as expert papers.