Resources: Research Reports

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The following are a series of occasional research reports related to the concept of Planning Culturally.

Research Report 1: A 2021 review of cultural inclusion in Australian Local Government planning documents & strategic plans

The aim of this research was to review how Australian Local Governments are referencing culture in their planning documents.

This included identifying the level of significance and how notions of culture, such as diverse communities’ cultural practices are expressed in strategic planning documents at the local government level across a sample of Australian councils.

Research Report 2: A 2022 review of models for building cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, & cultural competency

This report aims to identify the specific skills and competencies required for Cultural Literacy. This involves developing an awareness of one’s own cultural frames of reference and the values that every planner brings to their professional practice.

This report includes a review and evaluation of potential models and / or toolkits of skill sets that urban planners could draw upon to engage in a meaningful way with a diversity of values, behaviours and lived experiences found in Australian communities.

Research Report 3: A 2023 review of options for cultural impact evaluation and mitigation

Urban planning and design activities have minor or major impacts on the cultural life, institutions, resources and infrastructure of human populations and local communities. Therefore, the report highlights the need for Cultural Impact Assessment analysis at the early stage of a projects implementation to identify all those likely to be affected by a development. While there may be varying impacts for almost all affected by a proposed policy or action, the assessment has a special duty to identify those whose adverse impacts might need the greatest attention.

Research Report 4: A 2025 research review of Culturally Appropriate Housing: planning & design of housing for cultural diversity

Culturally appropriate dwellings are essential in all communities especially in culturally, ethnically, or religiously diverse communities. Suitable housing can help in the role of identity formation, cultural continuation, and transformation, and for migrants it can assist the integration into a new community. The dwelling is an important medium through which diverse communities can sustain cultural traditions and practices and thereby maintain their sense of cultural identity. Architectural design for housing that takes a culturally appropriate design approach, promotes well-being by supporting the cultural beliefs and practices of its users in the physical environment thereby reducing the stress of adapting to an alien-built environment.

Research Report 5: A 2026 research review of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) for urban planning & design

This environmental scan was conducted to understand the current context of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles and policies in the Urban Planning and Design sector. The research considered current best practices through academic and non-academic literature. A key finding was the emphasis on the need for the profession to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. The research reviews DEI policies and practices across professional organizations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and the USA, highlighting strategies for fostering inclusive environments, equitable resource distribution, and diverse representation in planning processes.