Birth of the Megapolis

The Making of a Sustainable, Liveable Megapolitan Future

Building a sustainable and liveable megapolitan future is critical to our survival. Assuming that success will come only from those with political and financial power is a risky assumption. A wiser approach is to seek answers from those who have thrived through extreme climate changes. Australia’s First Nations hold that rare distinction, with a cultural continuity spanning more than 65,000 years.

Our task is to understand how this remarkable ability to adapt was achieved, and how that knowledge can be practically applied to support a thousand-fold population increase. This system was designed for such growth — while also ensuring that necessary adjustments to our affluence are accepted by the majority. Success will require collaboration, cooperation, and greater connectivity. We need an inspirational and inclusive narrative — and we need it urgently.

Learning from Patyegarang and Dawes

Patyegarang and Dawes embody this narrative perfectly. The more you learn about this mysterious pair, the richer the story becomes. Our interest in their existence was accidental. Several years ago, we realised our megapolitan future was limited by a narrow Anglo-American approach to city building.

To create a truly liveable city, mobility must shift from cars to metro-mobility, supporting the re-pedestrianisation of public spaces. Australia’s First Nations understood that the land shapes our future — and always has.

As we researched further, it became clear that Sydney’s growth follows a land-shaped megapolitan template that has existed for millennia. Yet, we have been disrupting it. We haven’t followed the right rules, we haven’t listened to Country, and we haven’t known how. Like Dawes 230 years ago, we need to start listening to Patyegarang’s voice.

Read more about this in our paper here.