The next stage of the ACT government's plan to "democratise" city planning will begin this month.
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In the coming weeks, about 15,000 Canberra households, including both homeowners and renters, will be invited to have their say on the future of Canberra's housing.
The process of this 'Collaboration Hub' will be similar to the ACT government's citizen's juries, a spokesman for Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said, and managed by independent contractor newDemocracy Foundation.
From those who accept the offer, a group of about 40 will be randomly chosen for more intensive discussion on issues such as zoning.
In 2017, the ACT government launched a review of its planning strategy, including a public survey that ended this week.
"Now it is time to work with community representatives to refine what we've heard," Minister Gentleman said.
One of the key takeaways so far, according to a discussion paper put out in November, was a need for more flexible housing options, as respondents questioned current rules on residential development.
More than half of Canberrans surveyed said they wanted more dual occupancies in their area, and demand for medium density housing was strong.
The size of both land blocks and households in Canberra have shrunk in recent years.
While the capital "started from a young base" it was also one of the fastest ageing cities in Australia, the paper said.
"The number of residents aged 65 and above is projected to increase 93 per cent from 2016 to 2041," it said.
A spokesman for Mr Gentleman said Canberra's "natural advantage is the years of careful city planning", but there were now a range of "trade off decisions to consider" as the city grew.
"We feel this is best done [with] members of the community," he said.
"Invitations will be sent to physical addresses randomly so as to not discriminate between those who own or rent their property.
At its completion in June, a report written by the 40 participants will be presented to the minister with recommendations.
"Over five in-depth meetings [citizens] will consider and weigh up the demands, options, best practice and the desires of stakeholders."
The challenge in planning future housing, the spokesman said, was striking a balance between meeting demand for choice and "providing the right urban design outcomes to protect and enhance existing character and amenity in the established suburbs".
