AI, cities and development assessment: developing trustworthy support tools

This ARC Discovery project (2025-2027) investigates the legal, technical and ethical requirements for the trustworthy use of AI in urban Development Assessment, the regulatory process required for all new property development. The project arrives at a critical moment for the planning profession in Australia, where planning-specific AI applications are being developed, and AI trials are underway in local and state governments. During this early adoption phase there is an urgent and growing need to understand how AI use can deliver trustworthy processes and outcomes, to help achieve the efficiency potential of AI applications and support delivery of the National Housing Accord’s 1.2 million new homes target by 2029.

A core objective of the research is constructing a conceptual framework for trustworthy AI development assessment, bringing together three related fields in urban planning and urban governance: AI urbanism, planning support science, and critical urban studies. The framework will be tested and refined through case study research in Australia across three focus areas: 

1. Current AI implementation and use in city planning and related industries
2. Past and current technology-enabled reforms to development assessment processes, and

3. Future scenario exploration with planning and industry stakeholders for trustworthy AI implementation.

To read more about the project, click here to access the project fact sheet (PDF, 361kb). 

This project page will provide updates on project outputs, including academic and industry-facing publications, as well as advertising ways to get involved in the research. 

Current Opportunities

April 2025: Seeking expressions of Interest for Higher Degree Research student projects

The research team are seeking expressions of interest for stand-alone Higher Degree Research (HDR) projects that will contribute to achieving the project's aims. HDR projects could target key areas of exploration that have been identified by the research team, or can be your own ideas within the broader project scope. 

Update May 2025: The EOI form has now closed. Thank you to all applicants for their interest. The team will contact shortlisted applicants soon.