By Design, ABC Radio National
Broadcast 25th February 2009

In a situation that may soon confront many Australian city centers, Newcastle has over a hundred vacant buildings in its two main streets. “Renew Newcastle” is an initiative to rejuvenate the centre of town, not by throwing millions of dollars at it, but by finding creative short- and medium- term uses for vacant shops and offices. This is allowing community groups and cultural projects to move in to otherwise wasted space.

The urban renewal project – which has no government funding, is being driven on the smell of an oily rag by a group of energetic young Novocastrians.

Listen to the podcast of the program on the
By Design web page

Also read Fairfax article, “More properties needed“, 18th February 2009