Sydney
Cranes can be seen near a worker as he hangs from the side of a building under construction in Sydney, Australia, June 30, 2016. Picture taken June 30, 2016. Reuters/David Gray

Apartment units in Sydney costing millions of dollars selling off-plan on launch dates indicate the popularity of the city on New South Wales state among residents and foreigners. To manage Sydney better, the city released on Wednesday a 40-year growth strategy.

The growth strategy would expand Sydney from one central core to a polycentric mode that involve three core cities. It would be made up of the current established Eastern City and economic corridors in the north and south, Sourceable reports.

The next step is to develop Central City made up of Greater Parramatta and Olympic City. By 2056, the focus would be on the development of Western City which would revolve around the new Western Sydney Airport.

With its current population of 4.7 million people – of which 2.4 million are workers – the current focus on the city centre sitting on Sydney’s edge instead of the heartland could not continue if Sydney wants to become a global city, the Greater Sydney Commission says. The situation has resulted in congestion, soaring property values and uneven access to work options.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, the Central Sydney Planning Strategy for the 20-year period 2016 through 2036 projects the addition of 19,000 new residents in the city’s central business district, construction of 10,000 new dwellings, creation of 133,000 new jobs and availability of 2.9 million square metres of new office floor space. The council’s plan would soon go for public feedback.

Under the plan, maximum building heights would increase to 310 metres from the current 235 metres. It would also try to preserve Sydney as a place for business and not just the lucrative residential development.

The growth strategy says Sydney is currently at a transformational point. The commission has an opportunity to shift Greater Sydney’s spatial structure in a way that would benefit all current and future residents.