Artificial intelligence set to speed up development approvals

Slow development approvals and inconsistent planning decisions could soon be a thing of the past, with disruptive technologies set to streamline urban planning.

Artificial intelligence could soon be sophisticated enough to semi-automate urban planning processes, better predicting the effects of a proposed development and fast-tracking approvals.

The latest Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute report argued the capacity already existed for digital planning systems to do initial assessments of planning proposals for smaller developments such as a house renovation or an extension.