Imagine Brisbane

“Brisbane is growing… 100 people are coming here every day… where are we going to put them all?”

SpeakOut was contracted by Brisbane City Council to undertake a youth peer research project that considered urban planning and design for the future of Brisbane.

The result was an insightful documentary of the lifestyles, thoughts, feelings and opinions of the young people of Brisbane about their city, now and for the future.

A Youth Peer Research Model involves training and skilling a group of young people to undertake the research amongst their peers.

The research team involved 9 young people who worked together to develop interview questions, receive training in audio-visual equipment, interview techniques, and research into neighbourhood planning.

They interviewed 50 young people from different parts of Brisbane about their experience of the city, what’s important to them, and their hopes for the future of Brisbane.

Whilst the Peer Research Team were originally working with four City models already determined by City Planners, the research process identified a fifth model (Option E) – Multiple self-contained city centres.

Features of this model included:

• Transport ‘spokes’ of frequent trains and buses to and from the city
• Smaller neighbourhhods that can be walked around and between
• Many varied parks with character and food production in local areas
• More community spaces and facilities in each suburb

Imagine Brisbane shows how the research team arrived at Option E – and how other young people responded when they road-tested it. It is a significant contribution to the ongoing discussion about the role of city design in shaping the future of Brisbane.

The DVD and research has provided to Brisbane City Council a catalyst for further dialogue and informs future planning options.

video: Brief snapshot of the documentary