Perth Voice Interactive

THE Committee for Perth is asking Perthites what they think their city will look like in 2050.

The committee is working on its next big report, Perth 2050, with Edith Cowan University futurist Ben Harmer and Scitech, and has launched a community survey to see what people think about their city now and how they would like to see it in 25 years’ time.

The research is being led by Dr Harmer, who has previously run projects at the World Economic Forum as well as being a visiting scholar at Yale University and host of the ThinkerTank podcast.

“When we think about Perth, we look at how our economy is underpinned by the strength of the mining and resources sector, or how our lifestyles are defined by our weather and our incredible coastline,” Dr Harmer said.

“But, will this always be the case, and what impact will things like climate change and emerging technologies have on things?

“The Perth 2050 project aims to answer these and more by presenting an evidence based vision for Perth considering how we will live, work and play in 2050.

“One of the key philosophies underpinning this is that we can’t afford to be passive, because if we don’t plan for the future now, we risk inheriting a future designed for someone else.

Dr Harmer said the team would be engaging the community through interviews and focus groups, using “foresight methodologies… the toolkit for a futurist”.

Futurist

“The research report will be used to inform everything from government policy to business strategy, community planning and investment decisions,” Dr Harmer said.

The project follows the committee’s tri-annual “perceptions” survey which showed Gen Z were more positive about where Perth was heading compared to their Boomer brethren.

The study found 74 per cent of Gen Z and 65 per cent of Millennials were optimistic about Perth’s trajectory towards 2050, while 40 per cent of Boomers felt it had changed for the worse.

Gen Z were generally more favourable towards infill, tackling climate change, being more inclusive and creating opportunities for people to improve their social mobility.

Committee for Perth CEO Paula Rogers said the survey offered a valuable snapshot of Perth residents’ diverse views.

“Gen Z has voiced clear priorities around the environment, diversification, and societal change, all of which present an opportunity to reimagine Perth’s future,” Ms Rogers said.

“As our younger generations increasingly shape the city’s agenda, their optimism and vision for Perth will be crucial in driving the city’s development – and what an exciting opportunity this presents for our city’s leaders to harness the energy and innovation of its youngest adult generation to drive transformation.”

She urged people to take the survey, saying it was important to be thinking about the future Perth now.

“It is only 25 years away, and now is the time be seriously planning for our city’s future,” Ms Rogers said.

Find the survey at: survey.alchemer.com/s3/7975211/Perth-2050

by STEVE GRANT