Understanding the disruptive technology ecosystem in Australian urban and housing contexts: A roadmap

This project maps the ‘disruptive technology ecosystem’ to show how new digital technologies might reshape housing provision and assistance. It is part of a wider evidence-based Policy Inquiry into the impacts of disruptive technologies on different housing markets across Australia, and how policy makers, providers and consumers can engage productively with emerging digital and disruptive technologies. This report specifically provides a critical review of how different emerging digital and disruptive technologies are being incorporated into the housing and planning systems and how they might facilitate greater efficiencies and new opportunities broadly across the housing sector. Through a qualitative approach, the outcomes of a detailed literature review of such innovations are complemented by two technology workshops with stakeholders (social housing providers, local councils, advocacy groups, peak bodies, and technologists) to collaboratively explore implementation options. The literature review and workshop discussions inform the project’s research question: Which emerging digital and disruptive technologies present the greatest opportunities and threats for more efficient, effective and equitable housing provision and assistance, and what are the likely risks and rewards associated with these technologies?