CreaTech: Creative Technologies, Country & Innovation Precincts

We at the Faculty of Design and Society (FDS) are excited to launch CreaTech 2026.

CreaTech (Creative Technologies, Country & Innovation Precincts) positions the Jones Street precinct as a research-led living laboratory for creative technologies, public domain innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

It brings together key priorities across the UTS Creative Industries Strategy, UTS 2030, the Tech Central and Ultimo Creative ecosystems, industry-engaged research and development, Country-centred approaches and climate-responsive urbanism. At its core, the initiative is about demonstrating the “art of the possible” through research-led prototypes that explore how future public spaces could be shaped, experienced and activated. 

Why this initiative, and why now 

Placemaking is increasingly recognised as a major economic, civic and innovation driver, contributing significantly to economic activity and employment across New South Wales. At the same time, Sydney is undergoing one of its most significant urban transformations in decades. A key example is the Hunter Street Station precinct, part of the Sydney Metro West project. This development will dramatically increase transport capacity between Parramatta and the CBD, accommodate up to 10,000 passengers per hour, and establish a dense, pedestrian-first and digitally enabled public domain in the heart of the city. Together, these shifts signal a broader move toward more integrated, people-focused and technologically enabled urban environments, where public space becomes a critical site for innovation, creativity and engagement. UTS sits directly within this transformation corridor, creating a timely and strategic opportunity for us to engage our research in shaping these changes. 

The Jones Street Landscape Project (UTS context) 

Alongside these city-scale developments, UTS is progressing the Jones Street Landscape Project, a major campus transformation led by UTS Property. This project will fully pedestrianise Jones Street, redesign Alumni Green and surrounding connections, and strengthen links to Thomas Street and adjacent areas, while enhancing accessibility, sustainability and the overall quality of the public domain. The project is being delivered through a formal procurement process, with an external consultant appointed to develop the detailed design for construction, anticipated from 2027. 

Where CreaTech fits 

CreaTech sits directly alongside this transformation, but plays a distinct and complementary role. While the Jones Street Landscape Project is a capital works project focused on design and construction, CreaTech is a research and innovation accelerator that operates in parallel to it. This means that CreaTech is not part of the procurement or construction process. Instead, it enables FDS to engage meaningfully with a live campus transformation by testing ideas, exploring possibilities, and contributing research-led thinking into future public domain design. 

Importantly, we will work closely with UTS Property and the appointed landscape consultants to ensure that projects developed through CreaTech are grounded in the real site, informed by delivery considerations, and able to be tested for feasibility. Where appropriate, these ideas may inform future stages or related initiatives connected to the Jones Street project. This alignment creates a rare opportunity to embed research and innovation into a real-world transformation process 

The 2026 call 

We are inviting FDS-led teams to develop paper prototypes, rather than built outcomes, that explore future public space in and around the Jones Street precinct. These projects should demonstrate clear alignment with the site, either spatially or conceptually, and engage with creative technologies, design innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Proposals should also consider sustainability, social outcomes and meaningful engagement with Country, while connecting to the broader Tech Central and Ultimo Creative ecosystem. 

Possible project domains include but are not limited to: 

• interactive digital installations 
• immersive public storytelling 
• smart environmental systems 
• climate-adaptive infrastructure concepts 
• creative technology designed with Country 
• public behaviour and social research 
• hybrid digital–physical placemaking interventions.

Projects may engage with Jones Street, Alumni Green, Thomas Street connections and Penny Lane interfaces. 

How the program works 

CreaTech is structured as a two-stage initiative. In 2026, selected teams will focus on prototype development, producing a concept design package, articulating feasibility and technical considerations, and framing the research contribution. Teams will also be encouraged to engage with industry partners where relevant, and all projects will be presented at a public showcase in November 2026. 

Beyond this, the program is explicitly designed to lead into a second stage from 2027 onwards. At this point, projects are expected to progress into either research pathways, such as external grant applications, publications or longer-term research programs, or impact pathways, including industry partnerships, pilot activations, commercialisation opportunities or potential integration into future public domain initiatives. 

This staged model ensures that ideas move beyond concepts toward real research, funding and impact outcomes. 

Collaboration opportunities 

A key strength of CreaTech is its positioning within the Tech Central and Ultimo Creative ecosystem. The program will facilitate engagement with industry through targeted events and collaboration opportunities, supporting co-design and co-development between researchers and external partners. This creates a strong platform for building meaningful research translation pathways and long-term partnerships. 

Funding and eligibility 

The program will support approximately five projects, each funded between $10,000 and $20,000. Funding can be used for research assistance, design and prototyping, industry collaboration, and exhibition or showcase costs. It does not cover teaching relief, conference travel or open access fees. 

Projects must be led by FDS academic staff, with strong encouragement for collaboration across Schools and/or other Faculties, involvement of HDR students and early career researchers, and engagement with external partners. 

All expenditure must be completed by 30 November 2026 and acquitted in line with UTS Financial Services Unit's end-of-year financial deadlines – no extensions will be granted. 

All spending must comply with the UTS Research Finance Procedure. 

Intellectual property 

Our primary aim is to facilitate collaborative research and engagement opportunities between industry and UTS researchers that enables companies to grow and our research to have real world impact. Clearly identifiable background IP for each party will be licensed for the purpose of the collaboration with fair and reasonable terms to be agreed for any post-prototype commercialisation. New IP will be wholly owned by the company with a non-exclusive licence provided to UTS for research and education purposes and credit provided for research teams for their role. Companies will be contracted for an obligation for ongoing monitoring and reporting for impact purposes. 

Key dates 

• 15 May 2026: EOIs due (submitted by FDS academic)
• 29 May 2026: Confirmation of selected projects 
• June–October 2026: Prototype development 
• Early November 2026: Public Exhibition