Parramatta North

Transforming and revitalising Parramatta North.

The Client

Established in 2013, UrbanGrowth NSW is a state-owned corporation that focuses on large-scale urban transformation projects - currently focused on the re-development of two geographic regions: Sydney's Central Business District and Western Sydney. Previously, UrbanGrowth NSW's urban transformation programs have transformed areas such as Newcastle, Macarthur, Macquarie Park and Eveleigh. Land and transport infrastructure have been developed to support economic growth within these areas, which has resulted in economic growth and improved living conditions for residents. 

UrbanGrowth NSW aims to focus Sydney's attention towards North Parramatta - a site of great historical, cultural and artistic value.

The Challenge

UrbanGrowth NSW is looking to conserve, unlock and share the heritage of Parramatta North. The renewal will create new homes and jobs to support the growth of Sydney’s second largest CBD and the Westmead health, education and research precinct. It includes heritage works, rehabilitation of the river foreshore, creating new public open spaces, and infrastructure such as roads, cycleways and playgrounds.  The MBAe student team was tasked with providing a heritage precinct renewal strategy for Parramatta North - a strategy that could ensure the long-term economic viability and sustainability of the site, turning it into an icon for Western Sydney.

The Solution

The student EMBA student team proposed a detailed strategy to redevelop Parramatta North over a period of 10 years into three distinct smaller mixed-use precincts:

• The Norma Parker Precinct: a creative arts hub that will would house studios, exhibition spaces and creative workshops for the community
• The Greenup Precinct: a dynamic and open space for the whole community, which would include spaces for retail and food vendors, learning spaces and boutique hotels
• The Burramatta Precinct: a co-working start-up and commercial hub for diverse enterprises within Australia's innovation and technology space

To reflect on the rich and diverse history of Parramatta North, each precinct was named and developed with a significant historic fact in mind. With the proposed transformations, the team estimated that within six years, Parramatta North would  become cash flow positive and - if desired - be sold at a significant profit after 10 to 15 years.

“The quality of the presentations made by the students to the project team was exceptional as was the quality of their final report. I congratulate the students on an excellent piece of work.”

- Nicole Campbell, Manager, Collaborative Learning, UrbanGrowth NSW