Western Sydney recently hosted a delegation from global not-for-profit organisation Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC), who travelled to Sydney to share insights from cities around the world tackling extreme heat and other climate risks. 

During a week-long visit, RCC worked with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), Resilient Sydney and partner councils Blacktown City Council and Camden Council to engage local businesses, workshop cool urban design solutions, and explore practical ways to build heat-resilient neighbourhoods.

The visit culminated in the Heat Smart Sydney – Urban Design for Heat Resilience event during Sydney Climate Week on Thursday 12 March. The event was attended by more than 100 planning, design and climate resilience professionals.

RCC Founding Principal Corinne LeTourneau, alongside RCC colleagues Ameneé Siahpush and Johanna Sutton, shared lessons from cities across the world responding to the growing challenge of urban heat.

Ms LeTourneau said Western Sydney’s collaborative approach was attracting international interest:

“Western Sydney is showing what climate leadership looks like in practice — bringing councils, communities and small businesses together to design solutions that respond to extreme heat in ways that are practical, local and scalable.

Around the world, we are seeing that neighbourhood-based action can make a real difference, and we are excited to work with partners in Sydney to help translate global lessons into on-the-ground improvements that make communities cooler, safer and more resilient.”

Based in the United States, RCC is delivering the Neighbourhood Small Business Climate Resilience Program, which is advancing innovative climate solutions across six cities: Chennai, New York City, Tampa, Phoenix, Mexico City and Sydney.

The program recognises the important role small businesses and local communities play in shaping practical climate solutions, particularly for neighbourhood high streets and town centres.

Extreme heat is increasingly recognised as one of the most significant climate risks for cities, affecting public health, liveability, productivity and infrastructure.

Western Sydney is particularly exposed, with some of Australia’s fastest-growing communities and populations expected to double within the next two decades.

By drawing on lessons from cities such as Phoenix, New York City and Mexico City, project partners aim to accelerate the implementation of practical, heat-resilient solutions across local town centres.

Examples from overseas include built shade, cooling infrastructure, misting stations and other place-based initiatives that support both local businesses and residents.

Through the program, partners will pilot locally tailored solutions to extreme heat, co-designed with small businesses and communities, helping ensure Western Sydney neighbourhoods remain vibrant, safe and resilient in a warming climate.