The University of Newcastle's Hunter Research Foundation Centre will host an internationally-attended conference called "Second Cities: Smaller and Smarter symposium," taking place on the 29th and 30th of October.
With pressure on major metropolitan areas to accommodate an increase in population growth, experts say sustainability needs to come from outside these areas.
Second cities have greater opportunities to provide laid-back liveability conditions for residents, in comparison to the difficulties faced in big cities regarding house affordability, congestion and access to jobs.
The conference will discuss innovation, infrastructure and the liveability for second cities such as Newcastle. Leading practitioners in the industry will develop plans of economic sustainability, including the 2018 Hunter Business Leader and host of the event, Kyle Loades, who vouches for the national necessity of second cities,
"Major metropolitan areas such as Melbourne and Sydney are growing fast and frankly they're struggling to keep up with the infrastructure and quality of life."
"This is where second cities such as Newcastle help people thrive and survive, to work and live a quality life."
