A city for all – towards a socially just and resilient Sydney

These 10 principles provide the foundation for our plan and the city for all that we'll strive to be. 

1. Sydney is on Gadigal Country: we recognise First Peoples first.
2. Sydney is a just city that respects human rights and dignity.
3. Sydney’s community’s strengths are valued and supported.
4. Sydney is a welcoming, socially connected city that embraces diversity.
5. Sydney is a vibrant city where creative and cultural expression is valued and celebrated.
6. Sydney is a safe and accessible city for people of all ages and abilities.
7. Sydney’s environment supports health and wellbeing.
8. Sydney is a democratic city where people can participate and influence local decisions.
9. Sydney’s governance is effective, balanced and accountable.
10. Sydney is a collaborative city where responsibility for community wellbeing is shared.

An inclusive city offers equality through social justice and opportunity, a guiding principle for city governance. 

All residents see the benefits of economic growth in their own lives and have access to diverse education, training and job opportunities. 

There are affordable housing choices for people on a range of incomes along with essential services and facilities to support the quality of life. There are also affordable opportunities for people to participate in cultural and recreational activities.

Institutions and communities work in genuine partnership to build on communities’ strengths and enable them to thrive in good times and grow stronger through tough times.

The key action areas for an inclusive city are:

• Inclusive growth and opportunities: Economic growth distributed equitably across the community creating opportunities for all. 
• Diverse housing tenure and types: Diverse housing types (social, affordable and adaptable) and tenures meet the needs of all in the community.
• Affordable services, program and facilities: Ensuring everyone can access and participate in city life.
• Strong empowered communities: Enabling community-led projects to address local issues and improve community wellbeing and digital literacy.
• Resilience and adaptive capacity: Support in the shocks and impacts of wider issues and events such as climate change, emergency disasters and social upheaval. 

Sydney equality indicators framework

We partnered with the Sydney Policy Lab, University of Sydney in 2020 to develop a framework for tracking equality in our area over time. The Sydney equality indicators framework (PDF 4.05 MB) will help us develop local responses to create a more inclusive and just city that provides opportunities for everyone to thrive.

The Strengthening our social enterprise sector report brings together a review of local and international research and insights from people working in, and with, the local social enterprise sector. It outlines challenges and opportunities for the sector, as well as the role we can play in strengthening the sector moving forward.

A connected city is one in which diverse individuals and communities are socially connected and share common values and aspirations for their city. 

People live harmoniously – with consideration, tolerance and respect for others. People trust each other and are willing to help each other out in times of need. They feel welcome in their city and a sense of belonging. They feel free to be who they are, inspired to actively participate in their community and contribute to the cultural and creative life of the city, which flourishes as a result.

Key outcomes and action areas are:

• Supportive social networks and trust: Increase and strengthen social connections, interactions and networks among diverse communities.
• Sense of belonging and connection to place: Foster and embed place-based approaches and connections amongst current and future communities. Enable an understanding of an area’s history to allow individuals to feel connected to its identity.
• Harmony and social cohesion: Create, strengthen and improve connections and bonds across culturally diverse communities and within high-density neighbourhoods.
• Diverse thriving communities: Promote Sydney as an inclusive and welcoming city through encouraging and enabling participation in a cultural and creative life.
• Vibrant creative life: Increase opportunities for community participation in creative projects within the city.

A liveable city is one that supports a high quality of life and wellbeing. It provides great places designed for people of all ages and abilities, enabling the social life of the city to flourish.

Community members have access to a range of facilities and services to support their daily lives in vibrant neighbourhoods, including libraries, parks, community centres, theatres, schools and pools.

Well-connected public and active transport networks support healthy lifestyles and provide easy access to jobs. People feel safe and secure in the city. They benefit from connecting with a beautiful, healthy natural environment.

Key outcomes and action areas:

• People-focused urban design and planning: Enhancing, improving and activating current and future public domain, urban renewal and social infrastructure.
• Accessible places and spaces: Improving accessibility within the public domain, local business and transport options, and ensuring places feel safe and inviting for everyone.
• Quality natural environment and climate: Creating and enhancing local natural assets and improving conditions to support health and wellbeing.
• Healthy active living: Enhancing walking and cycling infrastructure and producing inclusive sport, recreation, health and wellbeing programs within communities facilities.
• Safe and secure communities: Improving community safety and people’s sense of security within the public domain and social housing precincts.

An engaged city is one where people have opportunities to actively participate in shaping their city and community. Government is transparent and trustworthy and operates in the community’s best interests, seeking to protect and deliver public benefit. 

People have the capacity and opportunity to get involved and influence decisions affecting their lives. People participate in shaping the city’s future. They share civic values and a sense of personal responsibility. 

Institutions and communities collaborate towards shared goals and aspirations.

Key action areas are:

• Transparent, accountable governance: Increasing access to City data, decision-making processes and providing accessible information.
• Balanced and inclusive local decision making: Increasing deliberative and participatory engagement for our diverse communities, including under-represented sectors.
• Civic knowledge and skills: Empowering people to have a say about issues that affect them, including strengthening young people’s civic awareness.
• Public participation in civic life: Enabling individuals or groups to address issues they feel are important and increasing participation amongst diverse communities.
• Collaboration and partnerships: Design social programs with communities and increase collaboration with government and non-government organisations.