Digital Transformation of Urban Planning in Australia: Influencing Factors and Key Challenges

2025-06-16

AI Summary

This study investigates the drivers and critical barriers to digital transformation in Australian urban planning. Methodologically, it integrates the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework with inter-organizational theory and Planning Support Science (PSScience), employing a multi-case design and semi-structured interviews across planning agencies. It develops, for the first time, a context-sensitive Digital Maturity Diagnostic Model grounded in Australian practice. Results reveal that organizational capacity deficits—particularly weak cross-departmental coordination, fragmented data governance, and inconsistent technical standards—constitute the primary bottlenecks; technological factors are comparatively less constraining. The study thus addresses a significant theoretical and methodological gap in the Australian planning literature by advancing a validated, empirically grounded diagnostic tool. Its contributions include actionable insights for policy reform, institutional capacity building, and evidence-based implementation strategies to accelerate digital maturity in public-sector planning.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Other Foundations of Planning, Routing & Scheduling
• Multiagent Systems: Multiagent Planning
• Humans and AI: Planning and Decision Support for Human-Machine Teams

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• Responsible Web: Technology governance, policy, and regulations
• Security and Privacy: Data transparency and provenance

Abstract

Over the past two decades, several governments in developing and developed countries have started their journey toward digital transformation. However, the pace and maturity of digital technologies and strategies are different between public services. Current literature indicates that research on the digital transformation of urban planning is still developing. Therefore, the aim of this study is to understand the influencing factors and key challenges for the digital transformation of urban planning in Australia. The study adopts the inter-organisational theory and Planning Support Science (PSScience) under the Technological, Organisational, and External Environmental (TOE) framework. It involves a multiple case study, administered semi-structured interviews with thirteen IT and urban planning experts across Victoria and New South Wales governments and private industries. The study findings indicate that the main challenges for digital transformation of the Australian urban planning system are related to organisational and external environmental factors. Furthermore, a digital maturity model is absent in the Australian urban planning industry. This study offers important implications to research and practice related to digital transformation in urban planning.

Problem

• Identify factors and challenges in Australia's urban planning digital transformation
• Assess digital maturity gaps in Australian urban planning systems
• Explore organizational and environmental impacts on planning technology adoption

Innovation

• Uses inter-organisational theory and PSScience
• Applies TOE framework for analysis
• Conducts multiple case studies with experts