The Urban Developer
AdvertiseEventsWebinarsUrbanity
Industry Excellence
Urban Leader
Sign In
Membership
Latest
Menu
Location
Sector
Category
Content
Type
Newsletters
Urban Leader Awards Logos RGB White
NOMINATIONS CLOSE SEPTEMBER 12 RECOGNISING THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND THE PROJECTS
NOMINATIONS CLOSING SEPTEMBER 12 URBAN LEADER AWARDS
LEARN MOREDETAILS
TheUrbanDeveloper
Follow
About
About Us
Membership
Awards
Events
Webinars
Listings
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Republishing Guidelines
Editorial Charter
Complaints Handling Policy
Contact
General Enquiries
Advertise
Contribution Enquiry
Project Submission
Membership Enquiry
Newsletter
Stay up to date and with the latest news, projects, deals and features.
Subscribe
ADVERTISEMENT
SHARE
print
Print
DevelopmentJessica MoloneyThu 22 Aug 24

The Six Urban Game Changers Developers Need To Know

As Australia enters a pivotal decade, three leading urban thinkers—Ethos Urban’s Lee Cikuts, Sean Stephens and Chris McNeil—share their insights on the game-changing trends set to reshape the property landscape. 

Speaking ahead of The Urban Developer’s Future2034 series, they aren’t just talking trends; they’re pinpointing the challenges and opportunities that will make or break developers in the years to come.

Ageing population: A demographic tsunami

Sean Stephens, Ethos Urban’s group director of economics, doesn’t mince words when it comes to the most significant demographic shift on the horizon. 

“By 2034, nearly 20 per cent of Australians will be [aged] over 65,” Stephens points out, underlining the urgent need for developers to rethink how they cater to this ageing cohort.

“The baby boomer generation isn’t just growing older—they’re demanding more in terms of lifestyle and amenity. Developers who can’t meet these expectations will quickly find themselves left behind.”

Sean Stephens - Ethos Urban
▲ Sean Stephens—Ethos Urban


Economic resilience: Navigating a fragile global landscape

Stephens also highlights growing geopolitical tensions as an economic wildcard that developers need to watch closely. 

“We’re in an era where globalisation is stalling, and the global economic environment is more fragile than ever. Developers can’t afford to ignore these risks,” he warns.

In response, Stephens suggests a focus on building resilience—whether it’s by strengthening onshore manufacturing, shoring up supply chains, or leveraging new technologies. 

“The shift from ‘Just in Time’ to ‘Just in Case’ inventory management is a clear sign that the industry is already adapting,” he said.

Planning evolution: The rise of mixed-use precincts

Chris McNeill, Melbourne’s planning leader at Ethos Urban, is calling for nothing short of a revolution in how we plan our cities. 

“The days of rigid zoning and height restrictions are over. Our planning systems need to catch up with the reality of modern urban living, where mixed-use development and densification are not just trends—they’re necessities,” McNeill said.

But with government alignment often slowed by short-term political cycles, McNeill believes the onus is on developers to lead the charge. 

“It’s up to us to demonstrate the benefits of these concepts by delivering high-quality projects that resonate with communities and contribute to economic growth,” he said.

Chris McNeill - Ethos Urban
▲ Chris McNeill—Ethos Urban




Future2034 | The Next Decade For Developers: Infrastructure, Precincts and Projects

Brisbane | Wednesday, September 4
Sydney | Friday, September 6
Melbourne | Friday, September 13




City-shaping transport projects

The next decade is set to be defined by unprecedented investment in transport infrastructure across the Eastern Seaboard, with more than $70 billion being poured into projects such as Sydney’s Metro and Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop. 

Lee Cikuts, Sydney director at Ethos Urban, sees these projects as nothing short of transformative.

“These aren’t just transport projects—they’re city-shapers,” Cikuts said. 

“They’ll enhance connectivity and amenity, providing the foundation for growth and development that could position Australia’s cities among the world’s best.”

Lee Cikuts - Ethos Urban
▲ Lee Cikuts—Ethos Urban

Leading the renewable energy charge

Chris McNeill is equally passionate about Australia’s transition to renewable energy, which he views as the defining infrastructure challenge of the decade. 

“Australia is at a crossroads. We’ve relied heavily on natural resources, but the future is renewable—and we have the potential to be global leaders,” McNeill said.

However, this shift will require more than just ambition; it will demand close collaboration between government and developers to build the infrastructure necessary for a sustainable future.

Automation: The next tech frontier

Finally, Lee Cikuts highlights automation as the next big technological leap for developers. 

“Automation is already changing the game in retail and logistics but the real impact is still on the horizon—especially with the rise of autonomous vehicles and 3D construction,” Cikuts said.

For developers, staying ahead of these trends means designing with flexibility in mind, ensuring that projects can adapt to the technological advancements that are just around the corner.




Don’t miss the chance to hear directly from Ethos Urban’s leading thinkers, and a supporting panel of developers, at the upcoming Future2034 event series in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.  

Learn more and register
here.

Future2034 | The Next Decade For Developers: Infrastructure, Precincts and Projects

Brisbane | Wednesday, September 4
Sydney | Friday, September 6
Melbourne | Friday, September 13

ResidentialInfrastructureAustraliaEvent
AUTHOR
Jessica Moloney
More articles by this author
ADVERTISEMENT
TOP STORIES
Stockland bumps up its apartment pipeline in melbourne and sydney
Exclusive

Stockland Re-Enters Density in $5bn Apartment Play

Renee McKeown
4 Min
Woolloongabba Precinct Vulture St
Exclusive

Brisbane Developer in Cross River Rail Compensation Tussle

Clare Burnett
4 Min
The Mondrian Gold Coast hotel's food and beverage is driving profits
Exclusive

Touch, Taste, Theatre: What’s Driving Mondrian’s Success

Renee McKeown
6 Min
Fortis’ display suites are designed as brand environments first, with tactile details and curated design to build buyer confidence before project specifics.
Exclusive

Relevant or Redundant: Will Tech Kill Display Suites?

Vanessa Croll
7 Min
Exclusive

Missing Heart: Why The Gold Coast Needs a CBD

Phil Bartsch
7 Min
View All >
South Melbourne social housing precinct
Affordable & Social Housing

South Melbourne Housing Precinct Revamp Takes Next Step

Leon Della Bosca
JQZ Parramatta EDM
Residential

JQZ Plots 10-Storey Addition to Parramatta ‘Auto Alley’ Plans

Clare Burnett
Stockland bumps up its apartment pipeline in melbourne and sydney
Exclusive

Stockland Re-Enters Density in $5bn Apartment Play

Renee McKeown
The property giant’s strategic shift to higher density is in full flight as details of two landmark projects are made pu…
LATEST
South Melbourne social housing precinct
Affordable & Social Housing

South Melbourne Housing Precinct Revamp Takes Next Step

Leon Della Bosca
2 Min
JQZ Parramatta EDM
Residential

JQZ Plots 10-Storey Addition to Parramatta ‘Auto Alley’ Plans

Clare Burnett
3 Min
Stockland bumps up its apartment pipeline in melbourne and sydney
Exclusive

Stockland Re-Enters Density in $5bn Apartment Play

Renee McKeown
4 Min
Aerial view of Caboolture and Bruce highway to Brisbane with Bribie Island Road crossing, Queensland, Australia
Policy

Queensland’s $2bn Push Opens New Housing Front

Vanessa Croll
2 Min
View All >
ADVERTISEMENT
Article originally posted at: https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/the-six-urban-game-changers-developers-need-to-know