Public Sydney

What makes a city beautiful, functional, memorable?

Public Sydney reveals the city through its most powerful public spaces. Presenting more than 100 key sites in plan, section and elevation, it uncovers the layered history, harbour-shaped geography and design intelligence that give Sydney its distinct urban character.

Meticulous drawings are paired with historical and contemporary images in incisive essays to trace how Sydney's public realm has been shaped over time - and why its shared spaces remain central to Sydney's identity, vitality and everyday life.

Representing over two decades of effort, research and recording, this new and thoroughly revised edition contains new maps, images and essays to offer fresh insights. Public Sydney shines a light on the past, present and future of the city. For designers, planners, policymakers, historians and anyone fascinated by the life of cities, it is an indispensable resource and a landmark study of urban public space.