About AUS

The Australian Urban Systems, (AUS) an Industry Cluster was formed in June 2006 to promote Victoria’s skills in the sustainable urban development field into the massive urbanisation market of China which is estimated to be in excess of $200 billion per annum.

AUS is an export initiative of the State Government of Victoria, supported and managed through the Department of Innovation Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD).  The cluster consists of a broad range of Victorian Industry committed to sustainable urban development from planning; design; technology and communications; engineering, economics, investment, infrastructure, and environmental sciences.  It also includes some of Victoria’s leading research universities and government departments. 

The AUS Concept

AUS is committed to a practical approach to sustainability drawn from the Melbourne experience and success in delivering a practical sustainability, where liveability and economic sustainability are the key drivers that allow environmental sustainability to follow.

It is built upon the idea that the new urban systems developing in the three emerging markets of India, the Middle East and in particular China, could benefit from the practical, multi layered approach demonstrated in Melbourne.  That is based on taking particular interest in the economic and socio/cultural and environmental needs of an urban community, so that urban sustainability is understood as a practical balance across these factors. 

To demonstrate this practice effectively AUS has been able to engage with urban development proposals at a policy and planning level, before projects become defined and parceled into individual disciplines. This can best be achieved under the auspices of a government to government relationship and AUS has a strong level of engagements with Jiangsu Province and in a number of Emirates in the UAE.  Similar arrangements may be negotiated with other cities, provinces/districts and countries where market opportunities have been identified.

Through the engagement at the planning and policy level AUS members have been able to pull through many related technologies, products and services into major global urban framework projects and are currently working across China, the Middle East and with early engagement in India.

Projects undertaken by cluster members include:

• The Eco City of Qilin Jiangsu Province, China;
• The Zhenjiang Demonstration Project, Jiangsu Province, China;
• The Urban Framework Plan for the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain and Dubai;
• Review of the West Tai Lake Environmental Improvement Master Plan, Jiangsu Province China;
• Tangshan New City Development Plan, Jiangsu Province, China;
• Tangshan Eco-Tourism Development Plan, Jiangsu Province, China

These projects alone have already delivered exports to Victorian and Australian providers of related technologies, products and services in excess of $30 million and have identified real project opportunities in excess of $1billion over the next 5 years, for the pull-through and engagement of other Victorian/Australian firms.

It is also estimated that the AUS initiative has created more than 150 new export related employment opportunities over the past 24 months.

The Victorian Government is now committed to another four years of support for AUS and has identified the following aims and objectives:

     Network and co-operate                                                                            

• Share expertise, information within a business framework of professional ethics and competition
• Co-operate with Victorian businesses to develop networks within the international markets
• Exchange information to provide for mutual opportunities and projects 

     Promote Victoria

• Profile Victorian design excellence and capabilities in sustainable urban and regional development

     Business development

• Support the growth of Victorian business in the international market and increase Victorian export

     Sustainability

• Demonstrate principles and practices of sustainability in regard environment, economics and social factors.

AUS OBJECTIVES
Environmental impacts today are experienced at a global scale All countries will be impacted by climate change, however developing countries with low lying cities could be particularly disadvantaged. AUS is committed to applying practical approaches and technologies and making these available in forms relevant to the needs of developing cities. AUS selected companies have wide international experience with particular interest in China, widely accepted as the most important sustainability challenge. Jiangsu Province like most of China is undergoing a major urbanisation process. The scale of this process represents both threats and opportunities. 

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DISLOCATION
Poor economic outcomes undermining sustainability of new urban centres Ecological meltdown. Equally the successful and sustainable urban development means: Liveable communities Broad employment and economic opportunities Presentation on improvement of environmental qualities. Victoria represents a good model of successful urbanisation which effectively balances social, economic and environmental goals and offers globally recognised most liveable conditions to its urban dwellers.  

BACKGROUND
Victoria enjoys a long sister province cooperation with Jiangsu, a central province of China. Jiangsu Province enjoys strong economic growth and is undergoing a massive rate of urbanisation. It shares many interests with Victoria. There are common concerns regarding environmental sustainability, water management and managing drought. Both places are highly urbanised. In addition, Jiangsu would like to diversify its economy beyond manufacturing, a challenge that Victoria has had to face up to over the last 20 to 30 years. The inter provincial cooperation is co-ordinated through VJJEC (Victorian Jiangsu Joint Economic Committee). In the last two years Victoria-Jiangsu cooperation has been focused on issued of urban development sustainability.