Planning Matters Competition

Show us your ideas!

Y (p) Connect?

It’s that time of year again. Everyone’s back at work, uni is starting, and the traffic snarls and tram crushes are back with a vengeance. That week on the beach seems but an all too distant memory… But I’m excited - because it means that March is upon us! And that means its YP Connect time!

PIA calls for clarity on the future of Australian cities

THE Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) has called for clarity from the Federal Government on the future of Australian cities following the dismantling of the Major Cities Unit, which was established by the former Labor Government in 2008 to advice on issues of policy, planning and infrastructure that have an impact on cities.

Read more at Urbanalyst

WA Young Planners Series

Metropolitan Local Government Reform: The Future of our Councils

PIA’s Young Planners would like to present the first networking event of the Young Planners Series… Metropolitan Local Government Reform: The Future of our Councils. Perth’s metropolitan area is experiencing an unprecedented rate of growth, with the population set to reach 2.3 million by 2026, and may be as high as 3.5 million by 2050. Due to population growth and economic development, and its strategic location relative to the Asian economies, Perth is on the cusp of a period of transformational change.

International Society of City and Regional Planners Annual Congress

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF CITY AND REGIONAL PLANNERS ANNUAL CONGRESS | BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | OCTOBER 2013

The International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) is hosting its international congress in Brisbane from 1 – 4 October, 2013 at the rejuvenated Royal International Convention Centre at the RNA. Details on this unique opportunity to take advantage of renowned international presenters are provided below, but with specific regard to the value of this event to Young Planners, you may consider the following benefits:

• exceptional low cost for such a high-calibre international congress;
• opportunity to immerse yourself in international dialogue of best practice planning theories and projects;
• access to an international planning conference in Australia, negating expensive travel and accommodation costs;
• opportunities to rub shoulders with 300-400 accomplished planning professionals from Australia and abroad; and
• network and gain connections in relevant fields of planning.

Keynote Speakers include Vanessa Watson, Professor of City Planning in the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics at the University of Cape Town and Amos Brandeis, Chairman of Israel Planners Association (2006-2012) and Ambassador for the International River Foundation.

More than 150 papers have been accepted with speakers from more than 30 countries. A showcase of contemporary Australian and international planning will feature PIA national and state award winning projects. The Congress will provide an opportunity to network with more than 400 planning professionals from around the world. More information at the congress website.

Be in it!

YPConnect and Congress 2013 Experience

The urban environment has an impact on everything, so it goes without saying that it’s within our best interests to produce something that is sustainable and enduring. From a quick glance at our previous attempts, we, as humans, have generally failed – to put it lightly. Our current way of living is not sustainable and all long-term visions generally point to some form of disaster. That could very well be a zombie apocalypse but, more likely, it will be something far less exciting yet still as drastic, such as food shortage or epic air pollution. Something clearly needs to happen.
Putting all that aside just for a short moment, let’s all think about ourselves. Taking a somewhat selfish approach, let’s consider how the urban environment makes our own individual lives less sustainable and, at the same time, less enjoyable. If you can answer yes to just one of these, there was a planner at some point in time who could have chosen a more sustainable option, yet didn’t.

·         Do you live less than five kilometres from work and still drive there?

·         Do you get the jitters walking around your own neighbourhood?

·         Do you have to drive to buy milk, bread or other basics?

·         Do you have to play chicken and ride your bike on the road?

·         Do you have a backyard that’s sole purpose is to grow weeds?

The urban environment can be shaped to support and enhance sustainable living which, as an added bonus, is often a healthier and more pleasurable way of life. Through the promotion of active transport, mixed use development and higher densities, we can tick off all the sustainability options while still providing for the needs of the community – and ourselves.

The 2013 PIA National Congress was an excellent way to showcase the very people who are looking to the future today. These are the people with the ideas and case studies, trying to show the world how the urban environment can encourage a more sustainable outcome.

With the Heart Foundation as a gold partner and speakers throwing around buzz words like ‘healthy’, ‘liveable’, ‘low-carbon’, ‘active transport’ and ‘population health’, creating the best world for ourselves is clearly on everyone’s mind.

As planners, we’re allowed to be selfish. Not only can we promote healthier, more sustainable lives for ourselves but, in our selfishness, we’re ultimately creating a better environment for future generations.

So be sustainable for yourself. Be that planner who looks at a 150 lot subdivision and questions the pathways, the corner stores, the ability to walk to work. Think to yourself, “I don’t want to live in a cruddy suburb with the same houses, filled with SUVs; I want to live somewhere cool with interesting neighbours and a retro bike with a basket on the front and breathe air that won’t give me asthma”. We are the only profession who can think that and actually create it. Whatever we create, we live in – so be selfish.

Monique was the 2013 recipient of the EDGE Land Planning Regional Young Planner’s Traveller’s Cheque. Thank you again to EDGE Land Planning who have been a great supporter of the Young Planners over the past years.

Monique Fenn

Graduate Planner

RPS Mackay