The Economics of Place: Planning for a Prosperous City Future

Key learning: There are many things that make a city prosperous and sustainable, however a strong economy is at the heart of prosperity and sustainability.

The Gold Coast is Queensland’s second‑largest city economy and continues to experience strong population growth. This growth raises an important question: how do we ensure it is sustainable over the long term?

Once known primarily as a tourism destination, the Gold Coast has evolved into a more diverse, knowledge‑based economy. City planning plays a critical role in shaping how we live, work and move, as well as how our economy grows. Good urban design helps create places that attract talent, support a range of industries, and enable people to live closer to jobs and services.

Planning decisions about transport, housing, public spaces and employment areas can either strengthen long‑term economic resilience or limit the city’s ability to prosper. Understanding the economics of place is key to making choices that support a strong future for the Gold Coast.

Marcus Brown is a Principal Economist and Director of Bull & Bear Economics and has over twenty-five years professional experience in the areas of economic planning, property economics, economic impact analysis and economic evaluation of private and public sector projects. He is recognised as one of Queensland’s leading applied economists advising all levels of government, the private sector and non-government organisations. His experience in economic planning and analysis ranges from providing advice in relation to small rural and remote to major provincial cities and metropolitan areas

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