Rundle Mall

Rundle Mall is Adelaide’s iconic “Shopping and Living” precinct, centrally located in the CBD and poised to become a net-zero exemplar. With over 700 retail outlets, 300 service providers, and 15 arcades and shopping centres, coupled with a diverse mix of ownership, it reflects the governance complexity of legacy city centre retail hubs across Australia. The precinct is a focal point for the City of Adelaide’s Integrated Climate Strategy 2030, which sets bold goals for resilience and decarbonisation. Ambitions include a 50% reduction in community emissions and full electrification of homes and businesses, leveraging South Australia’s world-leading renewable energy grid.

This project site presents a unique opportunity to investigate the governance barriers affecting net-zero adoption among building owners and tenants. The research will employ ethical methodologies to analyse data provided by the City of Adelaide and engage stakeholders across the precinct. Two coordinated approaches will be used: (1) detailed surveys and interviews to identify governance drivers and barriers, and (2) modelling of baseline energy use and retrofit strategies to assess energy efficiency potential. Insights from both approaches will inform recommendations for improving energy performance through retrofitting, while also examining how tenure arrangements, along with any relevant regulatory obligations, can support net-zero transition.