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Infrastructure
Western Parkland City: accessibility index
RPS’ economics, data and mapping specialists have created a new accessibility index to better assess public infrastructure investments for Western Sydney.
Assessing infrastructure investment
Situated within the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area, the Western Parkland City (WPC) occupies a significant position poised for profound transformation. The area accounts for 65 per cent of Greater Sydney, encompassing eight Local Government Areas (LGAs).
It’s anticipated the WPC will evolve into a thriving hub for more than 1.4 million residents by the year 2036 and that it will host 150,000 local businesses and generate employment opportunities for more than 420,000 people. It will also be home to Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, which is due to begin operations in 2026.
Recognising the importance of accessibility and robust transport infrastructure in this rapidly evolving region, the Western Parkland City Authority appointed RPS to undertake an accessibility study for the area to help inform its decision-making and investment strategy.
Creating a unique accessibility index
RPS’ study and resulting accessibility index had a dual purpose:
- to identify potential limitations in transport connectivity at the outset of emerging transportation initiatives
- to elevate the conversation by integrating considerations of land use and transport.
This broader perspective went beyond the traditional infrastructure business case focus on reducing travel times. It highlighted the substantial impact of transport infrastructure on critical aspects such as job accessibility, social engagement, well-being, and overall quality of life.
Interactive display
The index’s core purpose is to provide a framework to evaluate and address challenges related to accessibility and connectivity, thereby enabling well-informed decisions during the initial stages of transport and land use development initiatives.
Index design
The approach to developing the accessibility index drew inspiration from the principles embodied in the ‘30-minute city’ and the ‘15-minute neighbourhood’ concepts.
It was designed for ease of replication and transparency. RPS utlised publicly available data, new digital analytics tools, and GIS (geographic information systems) to create an innovative resource that can analyse the impact of infrastructure investment in a particular area.
An index like this will increasingly become important as governments, developers, and communities seek to use and invest finite resources in efficient and impactful ways, fostering a future where accessibility empowers mobility and nurtures thriving, inclusive, well-linked, and sustainable communities.
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Kim Drubbel
Director - Strategy & Investment