SZ, Australian local governments seek shared path on urban sustainability at Longhua forum

A different kind of Australia-China conversation unfolded this week, how cities from both countries can work together on the problems that shape daily life, including housing, transit, extreme heat and climate resilience.

Local government officials, urban policy researchers and community leaders from Australia and China gathered Oct. 15 at the Shenzhen Longhua International Cooperation Center(LICC) for the Australia-China Local Government Exchange: Shenzhen Longhua Exchange Meeting.

Themed "A two-city dialogue on sustainable development in megacities," the meeting aimed to turn shared urban challenges into practical, replicable solutions. 

The meeting centered on four topics, public-private partnerships, community engagement and public education, international exchange and cooperation, and infrastructure innovation and inclusive development. 

The agenda included presentations on sustainable development projects in Shenzhen and Longhua. Australian delegates shared their experience localizing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) in Australian cities, promoting youth and community participation in urban governance, and pursuing international cooperation.

Dr. Daniel Pejic, associate director of visitors and a research fellow in international urban policy at the University of Melbourne's Urban Studies Center delivers a speech Oct. 15 at the LICC for the Australia-China Local Government Exchange: Shenzhen Longhua Exchange Meeting. Photo courtesy of LICC

Dr. Daniel Pejic, associate director of visitors and a research fellow in international urban policy at the University of Melbourne's Urban Studies Center, said cities in both countries face similar challenges, including climate sustainability and implementing the SDGs, and residents share broadly similar needs — high-quality housing, good public services and convenient community life.

Through dialogue, he said, local government professionals tend to focus on concrete issues such as improving livability, upgrading transportation and responding to extreme heat. Despite differing political and institutional contexts, the two sides should explore how to strengthen cooperation toward common goals.

Pejic also pointed to the LICC as a strong example of how cities can bridge the local and the global. The center, a co-organizer of the forum, works to connect international organizations and global initiatives with local residents, communities and governance, linking international cooperation directly with the vibrant Longhua District.