GX Outdoors, in partnership with Jasmine Ong, Managing Principal of GLAS Landscape Architects and the immediate past Vice President of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), recently collaborated with PLA to deliver a webinar on the future of outdoor parks and spaces in Australia.
While Jasmine explored the key principles for designed public spaces that meet the challenges of the future (focusing on climate resilience, adaptation, and the integration of non-human kin), we at GX Outdoors shared the insights uncovered through comprehensive research undertaken with Place Score, conducted to understand the major trends shaping the future of public space design. What we discovered through this research has profound implications for councils, landscape architects, and urban planners across the country.
The Numbers That Matter
Australia currently has approximately 1 local park for every 350 people. With our population projected to jump from 26 million to 33 million by 2040, we'll need at least 1,000 new parks every year just to maintain current service levels.
But it's not just about quantity, it's about fundamentally rethinking what these spaces need to deliver.
Three Critical Trends Reshaping Public Space Design
Our research identified three interconnected themes that will define the future of outdoor spaces in Australia:
1. Population Pressures and Environmental Sustainability
Migration is driving over 60% of Australia's population growth, with India, China, and the Philippines being primary source countries. With this, our cultural landscape is being reshaped by what our evolving communities expect from public spaces.
And with this population increase, so too will urban density, which is projected to increase 22% across major cities by 2030, meaning more Australians will rely on local parks as their primary outdoor recreation space. The traditional backyard is becoming a luxury many can't access.
2. Evolving Social Needs and Demographics
Australia's aging population presents unique design challenges. By 2035, those aged over 60 will increase by 11%, and by 2057, one in four Australians will be over 65. Our research revealed these users have distinctly different preferences, favouring passive spaces with tranquil environments over high-energy activities.
Meanwhile, we're seeing a fascinating social shift: by 2030, an estimated one in four women will remain childless, and single-person households now represent about 30% of all households. This fundamentally changes how social connections form in public spaces and how those public spaces need to make provision for this.
3. Technology's Double-Edged Impact
Perhaps most intriguingly, while we're more digitally connected than ever, loneliness remains an epidemic. Technology creates an illusion of connection while potentially discouraging real-world interactions. Yet research conducted by Hassel found that 96% of respondents would be more inclined to visit parks equipped with smart technology like Wi-Fi and charging stations. It will be important for designers and urban planners to consider the tension between smart public spaces and making provision for those who seek out spaces to disconnect.
The Design Challenge: Reconciling Competing Needs
One of our most significant findings was the apparent conflict between different user groups. How do you design spaces that serve both the growing need for passive, sensory-sensitive environments and the demand for active, social spaces?
The answer lies in innovative approaches that we've started seeing both in Australia and internationally. From Endeavour Park in Blacktown NSW with its age-friendly exercise facilities, to Ohio's Morgan Garden designed specifically for neurodiversity inclusion, the solutions are emerging, but they require careful planning and community understanding.
What Communities Are Really Calling For
Through our research, which included direct engagement with industry professionals, analysis of 26,000 Australian Liveability Census participants, and review of domestic and international publications, several clear demands emerged:
· Multi-functional adaptability: Spaces that can be reconfigured for different activities within the same footprint
· Inclusive design: Accommodating everyone from young families to aging adults, from neurodiverse individuals to pet owners
· Environmental resilience: Parks that help combat urban heat islands while remaining sustainable and low-maintenance
· Social connection opportunities: Spaces that actively encourage real-world interactions and community building
The Path Forward
The transformation required isn't simply just about adding more parks, we need to reimagine what public spaces can and should be. This means embracing multi-zoning approaches, celebrating cultural diversity in design, and creating experiences that cannot be replicated in the digital world.
Our research has revealed both the challenges and the tremendous opportunities ahead. From understanding how migration patterns influence space usage to recognising that Australia now has more pets than people (opening new possibilities for social connection), the insights we've gathered are reshaping how we approach product development and community engagement.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
This only scratches the surface of our comprehensive research findings. We've explored everything from the rise of "mega-eco projects" to specific case studies of innovative park designs, from the
challenges facing decision-makers to detailed product requirements that align with community expectations.
We've made our complete research presentation available as a recorded webinar. In it, you'll discover:
· Detailed demographic breakdowns and their design implications
· Specific case studies from successful park transformations
· Our complete methodology and research findings
· Practical solutions for reconciling competing user needs
· Insights into future product development aligned with community expectations
· Jasmin Ong’s key design principles for spaces that meet the challenges of the future including climate resilience, adaptation, and the integration of non-human kin – along with AILA’s Climate Positive Design Guidebooks that offer practical tools for climate positive design
Watch the full research presentation here:
The future of Australia's public spaces depends on understanding these trends today. Whether you're a council member planning your next park upgrade, a landscape architect designing for diverse communities, or an urban planner grappling with increasing density, this research provides the roadmap for creating spaces that truly serve tomorrow's Australia.