Reimagining the future of the Sydney CBD : reflecting on Covid‐19‐driven changes in commercial and residential property trends

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Date
2022Author
Vigiola, Gabriela Quintana
Cilliers, Juaneé
Lozano‐Paredes, Luis Hernando
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Covid‐19 has led to unprecedented changes in functional structures in our cities. Since the mid‐20th century, central busi‐
ness districts (CBDs) worldwide have hosted economic and employment activities, leaving suburbia to home the residential
function. However, the global Covid‐19 responses have resulted in changes in some urban functions, and it is yet to see
if these changes would transpire as temporary or permanent. Some argue that the broad macrogeographical pattern of
urbanisation is unlikely to be changed. Still, that significant intra‐metropolitan, neighbourhood‐level and daily life changes
are to become part of the new reality. Thus, this article considered these changes by focusing on property trends in the
Sydney CBD to reflect on future trends, urban structures, and associated functions. An evaluative single case study desk‐
top analysis was conducted to investigate commercial vacancy rates and rental prices within the CBD of Sydney (Australia)
between 2018 and 2021 to reflect on the Covid‐19‐drive changes and their implications for urban planners. Findings high‐
lighted that before Covid‐19, both residential and commercial markets were growing, with rising rental prices and decreas‐
ing vacancy rates. However, commercial vacancies in the CBD have increased, and rental prices have decreased since
2020’s lockdown, stressing the dropping demand for commercial spaces. The residential market experienced a different
trend with dropping vacancy rates and increasing rental prices. The data analysed provide an initial understanding of how
Covid‐19 has impacted the Sydney CBD. It poses some insights into potential future trends and changes in the urban land‐
scape. It highlights the implications that the planning profession should consider in the quest to realise sustainable and
resilient cities.