As preparations continue for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, world-leading experts in urban policy, infrastructure, planning, business, politics, education and the environment are in the city for this week’s 2015 State of Australian Cities National Conference.

The December 9-11 summit features workshops, addresses, launches and a PhD symposium, and comes at an exciting time for the Gold Coast and South-East Queensland.

“We are living in the fastest growing metropolitan region in Australia and there are many challenges around city planning, building and transport infrastructure, environmental needs and more,” says Professor Paul Burton, Chair of the Conference Organising Committee and Acting Director of Griffith University’s Urban Research Program.

“The calibre of people at this conference will inform, engage and enhance perspectives of the future of Australia’s cities.

“This is particularly relevant for the Gold Coast as the city negotiates the practical, political, ethical and economic issues arising in the lead-up to, and then beyond, the Commonwealth Games.”

Guest speakers include:

The Honourable Mr Jamie Briggs MP, newly appointed Federal Minster for Cities and the Built Environment;

The Honourable Mr Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for the Commonwealth Games, and Transport;

Dr Elizabeth Taylor, Vice Chancellor’s Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT;

Dr Tim Williams, CEO of the Committee for Sydney and former special advisor on urban development, governance, city strategy and planning to five UK cabinet ministers and the Mayor of London.

Ms Kirsty Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Planning Institute of Australia.

Professor Adrian Franklin, of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Tasmania;

Professor Nicole Gurran, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Sydney.