Translocalism in place: planning and the migration, housing and infrastructure nexus

Translocalism in place: planning and the migration, housing and infrastructure nexus

Date: Wednesday, 09 September 2026

Time:4:00pm - 5:00pm

Location: Nelson Meers Foundation Auditorium, Chau Chak Wing Museum

Accommodating population growth and change from migration as well as natural increases, is central to urban and regional planning. However, recent concerns about housing affordability and infrastructure gaps threaten the social license for migration which is fast becoming a political football. This panel discusses how and why planning for housing and infrastructure must address the local experiences, impacts and opportunities presented by global migration. 

Speakers

Indu Balachandran, Ku-ring-gai Council

Marcel Peruffo, The University of Sydney

James Raymer, The Australian National University

Tim Moore, Architectus

Chaired by

Kirstie Allen, The University of Sydney

Sydney Festival 7-11 September 

National events September – October 2026

Translocality describes the interconnectedness between different places and people, beyond national boundaries. The circulation of people, goods, knowledge and capital, though an ancient process, is facilitated and impacted by new technologies, bringing new opportunities and challenges for cities and regions. Increasingly important, a translocal lens highlights these deep and intersecting relationships between people and places over time – from the legacies of colonisation and environmental change to contemporary patterns of migration and cultural diversity. Through panel discussions, debates, exhibitions, and tours, and featuring thought leaders from academia, the arts, industry, and civil society, the 2026 Festival of translocal Urbanism examines and celebrates the complex social, economic and environmental connections between local and global communities.