Prof. Nicholas explained the differences between countries that follow decentralized and centralized fiscal systems. In countries that have decentralized fiscal systems like the USA, China and Indonesia, its planning is considered good if it takes account of the occurring growth. Meanwhile, countries with centralized fiscal systems may have local plans that are rejected due to other urban growth.

Prof. Nicholas added that growth can be planned in two formats: by the government and/or private sectors, as well as the authorities of each region.

There are some challenges when committing to regional/city planning. These challenges are caused by four conditions: future uncertainty, irreversibility of development decisions, interrelatedness, and indivisibility. Usually, growth is common and noticeable in the suburbs.

Prof. Nicholas’s research discusses the growth of urban areas in Melbourne. One of the issues raised in it is the relationship between immigration, population growth and housing demands. The cause of uncertainty in Melbourne’s urban growth is the speculation of suburban lands with increasing prices- the difference of land value between the suburbs and the city centers is wide.

Reporter: Camilla Rosanti Budimansyah (Urban and Regional Planning, 2020)
Translator: Ruth Nathania (Environmental Engineering, 2019)