Image: Most city's have a laneway program. I think this is more than just copying Melbourne's success - most people like the scale of these places. I quote - "The City of Perth has embarked on a long term plan to revitalise the City’s laneways - “Forgotten Spaces – Revitalising Perth’s Laneways”. Laneways are unique half-hidden spaces that lend themselves to be treated differently to the main streets of Perth. Laneways add a new and exciting dimension to the fabric of the city and give the city a finer grain and different scale of space for people to discover and enjoy. The proposed designs aim to enhance the urban fabric of the spaces and celebrate each laneway’s distinctive environment." 

Posted by: Andrew Hammonds

Monday 30 April, 2012

Peter Monks, The City of Perth's Director of Planning and Development, has announced his resignation to commence as Director of Planning and Environmental Services at Waverley Council in Sydney.

Peter said today "I'm moving to Sydney for a new adventure after 25 years in local government in WA. I can vouch that the job in Perth is particularly interesting and the West Coast has a lot to offer if you are after a change." You can access details in our new Urban Design Jobs Forum.

As Peter demonstrated in his interview with us, he is a key person behind the significant urban design improvement in Perth City.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said she was very impressed with Peter Monks’ knowledge and commitment to urban planning. “During his time in this role, the City has seen key projects and significant planning milestones achieved, such as our highly lauded Urban Design Framework. We will miss Peter greatly, but appreciate his desire to seek new opportunities.”

Peter has worked for the City for 13 years, the past seven as Director of Planning and Development. Announcing the resignation, Chief Executive Officer Frank Edwards said Mr Monks was an outstanding and distinguished director who was widely respected in his field. “He has made a significant contribution to many major projects and has helped Perth develop into a better place,” Mr Edwards said. “Peter is looking forward to new challenges and experiences in Sydney and we wish him well. His commitment and expertise will be missed.”

Image: the main street of Mackay was one of the earliest places to benefit from a streetscape improvement. The latest trend is for coherence and order in the public realm (the street and footpath) while relying on the shops for interest, variety and complexity. Thanks to a cyclone which hit the city in the 1920s Mackay now features lovely Art Deco buildings. 

What would you do to this place?

Posted by: Andrew Hammonds

Monday 30 April, 2012

We are pleased to be launching our free job seeking forum for people in the urban design and placemaking industry. If you are an employer you can post your position here. 

Placefocus has posted positions for Trainers in Urban Design and Placemaking as well as people interested in Blog Writing.

If you are looking for work you can post your position this forum. 

Posted by: Andrew Hammonds

Wednesday 11 April, 2012

I am impressed with the lineup for this years Symposium...

When we build a new city it should, by virtue of the fact that we have all of history’s cities to learn from, be the best city in the world – the City of our Dreams. Australia is an old country with young cities. There are many things we are doing very well – our cities are internationally recognized on a range of livability indices. 

There are many things we need to do better, particularly in response to new and emerging pressures -sustainability, transport, governance and procurement, affordability, design quality. Behind these pressures lies a more basic need - to kindle the passion that drives city-making.

The City Symposium 2012 offers urban design professionals an innovative, interactive format to reinvigorate the dreaming that empowers city-making. It’s a call to look anew at the possibilities in our state, our country and around the world, of the making of successful cities, great cities, our cities – the cities of our dreams.  

Gil Penalosa, Executive Director, 8-80 Cities

Internationally renowned livable city advisor and social marketing strategist, Gil Penalosa is passionate about cities for people. Gil advises decision makers on creating vibrant and healthy cities for all: from 8 to 80.

As Executive Director of Canadian non-profit organization 8-80 Cities and former Commissioner of Parks, Sports and Recreation in Bogota, Colombia, Gil’s tireless commitment to fostering healthy communities remains front and centre. He also works as Senior Consultant for the renowned Danish firm Gehl Architects. And he serves on the Boards of Directors of American Trails, Ciclovias of the Americas, and City Parks Alliance.

Posted by: Kari Sinkko

Saturday 21 April, 2012

We are pleased to be launching our tender service with the Wakool Shire Council seeking a street improvement strategy.

For further information, check out the Tenders page.