A cohort of interdisciplinary senior undergraduate students attended their final presentation at Liverpool City Council as part of their Industry Community Project Unit (ICPU) Program in Semester 1, 2025. The students were honoured the opportunity to present to a key audience in attendance including the Mayor of Liverpool, Ned Mannoun, Shayne Mallard - Director City Futures, Julie Scott – Manager, City Economy and Tina Bono – Director, Community and Lifestyle.
, a vibrant, multicultural city with a community drawn from over 140 countries comprises of strategic assets such as the Liverpool Innovation Precinct – anchored by major health, education, and research institutions – the city is positioning itself as a hub for collaboration between government, industry and academia. As the city evolves, it faces a range of complex challenges that require innovative, sustainable, and interdisciplinary solutions. These challenges include fostering innovation, supporting local businesses, promoting environmental sustainability, enhancing international trade, and strengthening community connections.
The students went beyond academic considerations of research and data analysis. Their insights and recommendations to improve civic life were incorporated into our Liverpool 2050 strategy – our blueprint for delivering better outcomes for all in Liverpool.
Ned Mannoun
Mayor, Liverpool City Council
Students had the opportunity to explore innovation, working with local stakeholders and industry mentors to develop practical, forward-thinking solutions that focus on community engagement and economic growth that is sustainable, benefiting all sectors of the population and reflect Liverpool's ambition to become a resilient, inclusive, and globally connected city.
 This project presented an opportunity for teams to delve into the challenge of thinking of how Liverpool City Council can best align the economic advancement of the region while ensuring its environmental and social sustainability.
Students presented their findings ranging from ideas and recommendations including a multifaith advisory council, enhancing night life within the local council, attracting investment from UAE, sustainable transportation system and building a future focused workforce. Â Each of the eight teams contributed valuable insights to the future of Liverpool while enhancing their skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative problem solving.
The student recommendations were not just exploratory and will be potentially considered as inputs into Council’s strategic planning, including:
- The Community Strategic Plan (CSP)
- The Public Domain Master Plan
- Ongoing work around place-based activation, youth engagement, and sustainable growth
Liverpool City Council successfully continues its partnership with the University of Sydney into Semester 2, where students will explore how sustainable innovation can be used to leverage Liverpool’s unique assets, its expanding university presence, world-class health infrastructure, and collaborative research environment - to position the city as an exemplar of sustainable urban development in Australia.
This partnership is part of Liverpool City Council’s broader commitment to engaging with youth voices and academic expertise to deliver a sustainable, inclusive, and future-focused city.