Bradfield City’s First Land Release sets benchmark for inclusive, climate-resilient urban development in Western Sydney
The master plan for Australia’s first entirely new city in more than 100 years has been unveiled, marking a major milestone in the development of Bradfield City in Western Sydney.
Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Hassell, in collaboration with cultural design partners Djinjama and COLA Studio, the Bradfield City master plan outlines a vision for an inclusive, climate-adaptive and Country-centered urban precinct.
Located approximately 50 kilometers west of Sydney’s central business district, the city sits adjacent to the future Western Sydney International Airport (Nancy-Bird Walton), positioning it as a key growth hub for advanced manufacturing, education and innovation.
A New Civic Heart for Western Sydney
The foundational precinct—known as Superlot 1 or the First Land Release—covers 5.7 hectares and is envisioned as the civic core of Bradfield City.
Planned components include:
- More than 1,400 residential units
- 10% affordable housing allocation
- A university campus
- Commercial office space
- A hotel and childcare facilities
- Retail and public open space
The development is backed by over AU$1 billion in public investment from the New South Wales Government and is being delivered in partnership with Plenary.
Designing With Country at the Core
A defining feature of the master plan is its integration of Indigenous knowledge systems and deep engagement with First Nations communities.
At the center of the precinct is the Green Loop—a 15-meter-wide linear park that connects Moore Gully’s natural systems to the built environment. The landscape strategy reflects Indigenous concepts of “Country,” acknowledging connections to land, waters and skies.
Within this corridor, a timber pavilion with a woven canopy serves as a community gathering space. Inspired by the Aboriginal principle of “enoughness,” the structure emphasizes resource restraint and harmony with biodiversity and water systems.
Architectural expression transitions from earthy tones near Moore Gully to lighter forms along the ridgeline, symbolizing movement from land to Sky Country.
Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Design
The Bradfield City master plan prioritizes sustainability and resilience at every scale.
Key strategies include:
- Low-carbon materials such as terracotta and timber
- Passive design principles
- Green roofs and biosolar systems
- Water-sensitive urban design infrastructure
- Reduced embodied carbon across building systems
The Green Loop also supports biodiversity corridors and urban cooling, reinforcing climate adaptation measures as temperatures rise in Western Sydney.
Economic Catalyst for the Western Parkland City
Bradfield City is positioned as a central anchor of the broader Western Parkland City strategy, leveraging proximity to the new international airport and multimodal transport links.
The development aims to:
- Stimulate economic diversification
- Support research and advanced industries
- Generate long-term employment
- Provide equitable access to housing and services
By integrating innovation infrastructure with inclusive housing and public space, the project seeks to establish a replicable model for sustainable city-building in the 21st century.
A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
For SOM and Hassell, the project represents a rare opportunity to design a city from the ground up—embedding environmental resilience, cultural identity and social equity into its foundational layers.
As construction progresses, Bradfield City’s First Land Release is intended to set new benchmarks for sustainable growth, signaling a transformative chapter in Australia’s urban development history.
