University of Newcastle (Australia)

Newcastle has a subtropic climate and a population nearing 400,000. The city is fairly flat, with adjacent coastal cliffs and rocky headlands. Greater Newcastle comprises several local governments serving the Hunter Region. It was a manufacturing hub for generations and experienced the ups and downs that accompany that industry. An earthquake in 1989 prompted significant conversations about urban regeneration.

Starting in 2017, the University of Newcastle has relocated some operations from suburban Callaghan to the heart of the city. The urban campus is served by light rail, bus networks and multi-use paths, and includes a legal centre, Graduate School of Business, and School of Creative Industries with Conservatorium of Music in the Civic Theatre precinct.

In 2019, the university committed to creating the Hunter Innovation Project (HIP) for the School of Creative Industries to be on the former Newcastle heavy rail corridor. It also announced the first stage of a 10-year city plan, discussed by the university and the city as part of its 2020 Memorandum of Understanding, which is oriented to smart city networks and designs, student engagement, regional and global reach, and knowledge innovation.