Professor Stuart White is Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney, where he leads a team of 60 researchers who create change towards sustainable futures through independent, project-based research. 

intouch caught up with White ahead of his presentation at the Sustainability in Public Works Conference later this month. 

intouch: Stuart, what will you be speaking about at the conference? 

White: My presentation will use examples from the research of the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS in water, energy, waste, transport and smart cities to look at the future of infrastructure and asset management in a world disrupted by digital technology and aspiring to meet sustainability goals. This will include the future structure and function of infrastructure, as well as decision-making processes that meaningfully engage citizens and their preferences.

intouch: What are three key messages in your presentation?

White: There are three main message: 

1. There are as many opportunities as there are challenges for councils confronting future change in terms of sustainability, and there is as much to welcome about the future trends as there is to fear, shifts in technology, financing opportunities, and public interest in liveable cities means that it is possible if managed appropriately to achieve sustainability goals at the same time as meeting other council objectives.
2. A systems view is important, we need to have an integrated approach between the traditional silos of operation, such as different departments within council, different infrastructure sectors and the technical and community dimensions of problems. We need an approach which takes into account the integration of all these different areas.
3. We need to maximise the opportunity for the community to be engaged in a meaningful way with decision making about their future which means the use of innovative approaches involving random selection, deliberation and genuine influence on the part of members of the community. 

intouch: What is a great example of sustainable asset management that we should look to for inspiration?

White: There are several fantastic examples all around the world of different aspects of sustainable asset management such as in the transport sector where the integration of land use planning and transport in the European walking cities with a focus on active transport in climates much more hostile than Australia’s climate or in Curitiba, South America where the strong focus on public transport has provided significant advantages in the community. Through to the way waste has been managed in Scandinavian countries to represent the beginning for circular economy, through to the use of participatory budgeting in France, Spain, and some municipalities in China.

intouch: What are the big challenges when tackling sustainable asset management?

White: The first significant challenge is the pace of change both in technology and community expectations and resource constraints as well as externally imposed regulatory governance changes. Secondly, managing the historical silos and institutional boundaries particularly within traditional Council structures and to move to a more integrated approach. Thirdly, funding and resources particularly to support aspects of sustainability which are outside traditional Council jurisdiction, and engagement with other levels of government.

intouch: What role do you think public works professionals will play in ensuring our communities’ future sustainability?

White: Public works professionals have a significant role to play because they are operating at the interface with the community and shaping the future of communities therefore they have an important role in determining aspects of liveability through land use planning through the provision of infrastructure and services, and need to be aware of the opportunities and methods to achieve these goals.

intouch: Why will your presentation be unmissable?

White: This presentation will address possible futures and therefore outline some cutting-edge initiatives and opportunities, and yet will also be providing practical real-life examples based on projects which have been implemented. The presentation will also be broad and take a systems view, making connections between sectors which would not normally be made.

Don't miss Professor Stuart White's presentation The Future of Sustainability for our Communities: Improvements in Asset Management at the Sustainability in Public Works Conference, 14-15 May, Sydney.