Australia's railway system has a rich history, playing a key role in early colonization and the development of both capital and regional cities. It was essential for facilitating agricultural and mining production through expansive networks that, by the late 19th century, were far more extensive than today. However, with the rise of car and truck transport in the early 20th century, many regional railways declined, and those that remained have not been modernized. Many tracks, originally laid for 19th-century steam technology, still follow winding routes, resulting in slow and sometimes unreliable services.
Since the 1980s, there have been discussions about upgrading the rail link between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia’s most populous cities, but no plans have been realized. This corridor now ranks as the 5th busiest air route in the world, contributing significantly to environmental emissions.
A High-Speed Rail (HSR) connection between Sydney and Melbourne presents an opportunity to reshape the urban landscape of the cities it would serve, especially around the new train stations. This development could spur economic growth, support increased population density, and reduce travel times between regional and capital cities, leading to changes in living, working, and travel patterns.
The studio project focused on preparing a strategic plan for New South Wales, mapping out potential routes and stops for the proposed HSR. The aim was to assess the potential impacts of the HSR stations on various locations. A more detailed plan was later developed for one station to demonstrate the transformative impact on areas with different urban characteristics, including metropolitan CBDs, suburban centers, urban edges, satellite centers, and regional cities, or even new settlements. The proposed station stops included Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Gosford, Glenfield, Canberra, and Wagga Wagga.
