As a rapidly developing nation, Australia is a study of the consequences of ill-conceived urbanisation, with a lack of foresight in the planning of built environments leading to inappropriate siting, exponential urban sprawl, environmental degradation, and socio-spatial fragmentation. Historically Australia has followed and appropriated the influences of British and American planning movements, exposing negative ramifications of applying external design concepts to local conditions. With two-thirds of the population living in capital cities they have become increasingly unaffordable. As opposed to Australia’s sprawling cities, regional and rural areas are generally small in population. However, movements towards decentralisation and regional development are gaining momentum, and are increasingly seen as the way forward to reduce uncontrolled growth in major cities. This shift in thinking has further come to the forefront with a significant move of city dwellers to Australia’s regions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With work practices radically changing, many employees and businesses have adapted exceptionally well to remote work. With new modes of work/life balance developing, there has been increased demand for ‘sea-change’ and ‘tree-change’ properties in many of Australia’s well-serviced regional areas, leading to increased housing and rental prices, along with housing shortages.

A reconceptualisation of what built environments are presently, and what they can be in the future is needed. If regional development is increasingly seen as the way forward to reduce expanding populations in major cities, it is imperative that regional areas do not fall victim to the same short-sighted planning mistakes. This paper discusses design responses needed to meet the challenges and opportunities faced by shifting socio-spatial patterns, tailoring approaches to specific regional circumstances.