Victoria and NSW get together on better design

Recently, key players in urban design in Victoria and NSW met in Melbourne for a one-day creative workshop on how to achieve better design outcomes. In recognition of the skilled nature of design assessment, some Victorian councils and jurisdictions elsewhere in Australia and overseas have been turning to the use of Design Review Panels. The workshop was convened with a view to more fully explore this option and to act as a catalyst for identifying other possibilities and thinking.

The agenda was listening and learning, and planning for action to address challenges, particularly the current tsunami in urban finances – the global financial crisis and responses to it. The day was initiated by Geoffrey London, Victorian Government Architect, Jane Monk, Chair of the Victorian Planning Minister’s Priority Development Panel, the DPCD’s Urban Design team. Key presentations were by NSW practitioners Ken Maher, Chairman, Hassel Architects, Peter Mould, NSW Government Architect, and Frank Stanisic, Principle of Stanisic Associates Architects. Related articles are on pages 2 & 3.