These streets were made for walking - an urban design training program for Victoria 2010
The quality of life we enjoy in Melbourne and across Victoria is recognised around the world. Much of this is can be attributed to the design of our built environment which supports the social, cultural, economic and environmental well-being of our communities in cities and towns. Increasingly we are aware of the need to design our built environment in more sustainable ways-for the benefit of current and future generations.
The Victorian Government’s Urban Design Training Program offers courses that introduce planners and designers to the principles and methods of urban design. This outstanding program is unique in Australia and is an important initiative contributing to the implementation of Melbourne 2030: a planning update, Melbourne @ 5 million. The program improves the skills and competencies of participants so that they can better shape the urban environment through improved public safety, improved urban layout and subdivision design, well functioning activity centres and good design for higher density residential developments.
Now in its fifth year, the Urban Design Training Program continues to be a great success with more than 700 public and private sector built environment professionals from metropolitan Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate participating in a variety of urban design training events.
Each year the program is reviewed with key stakeholders to meet changing needs and priorities and to develop specialist modules. For the first time, the Urban Design Training Program is offering a series of ‘Urban Discovery Walks’ to showcase a range of projects evolving in and around Melbourne and regional Victoria. Industry experts will help to guide the site visits, highlighting exemplars of public realm, street and property projects. These visits will provide an opportunity for you to experience new places, engage with others interested in urban design and discuss recent projects with peers.
If you have a project that you would like to showcase as an ‘Urban Discovery Walk’, or would like further information about the program, please contact the Urban Design Unit, DPCD on (03) 8644 8819. www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/urbandesign
To register with PLANET Training and Professional Development Program, contact DPCD on (03) 9637 8605 visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planet
Also in this edition:
- It’s time for a ‘CABE down-under’
- Major Cities Unit
- 2010 Australia Award for Urban Design
- Is a dead end a thing of the past?
- FOD (‘Food Oriented Design’) for thought - returning agriculture to our urban spaces
- Urban design tipping point
- What is Urban Character?
- From renaissance to recession: maintaining urban quality
- Peak oil – head in the sand?
- Can Essex come to Queensland?
- Urban design for sustainability 6-9 April 2010, Perth
- Conferences, etc