Amelia Chandler reports from the Department of Infrastructure and Planning’s Urban Conversations series where “guerilla” versus “strategy” debate lead the agenda.
July 8th, 2013
With charismatic broadcaster James O’Loughlin at the helm as Master of Ceremonies, the NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure (DP&I) presented the second ‘Urban Conversation‘ talk in Sydney.
Urban Conversations, Angel Place
The lively panel, consisting of Jane-Frances Kelly (Grattan Institute), the grass roots activists Jason Roberts (Better Blocks Project, Texas) and Dave Meslin (Toronto Public Space Initiative, Canada) entertained and inspired the audience, providing more (welcome) laughter than we’ve come to expect from a planning event.
Jason Roberts (Better Blocks Project, Texas)
The evening put forward some inspiring ideas, even if the “take it into your own hands!” messages espoused by the North American speakers was strangely at odds with the notions of ‘planning system’. It was an opportunity for the Department to promote the white paper for the new planning system and throw down the gauntlet – challenging the audience to get active and involved.
Dave Meslin (Toronto Public Space Initiative, Canada)
Jane-Francis Kelly described how Sydney was failing to operate effectively as a city. While working well for four million or so residents who live at the centre of the metropolis, the ‘other half’ in the outer areas are highly vulnerable in times of economic downturn: at risk of missing out on access to jobs, education and affordable housing.
Dallas’ first complete Better Block street project.
Kids getting involved with street art during a Better Block project in Dallas Texas.
Jason and Dave injected colour and creativity into the evening, explaining their roles in generating grass-roots improvements in their respective communities – activating dead public spaces and reconnecting residents. Both TEDx veterans had used blogs, websites and good old face-to-face contact to agitate for change. Between them they have a track record of ingenious projects including guerilla gardening schemes, ‘pop-up’ street makeovers, fence removal projects and rogue park embellishments.
Toronto Guerrilla Gardening
By working outside the conventions of governance structures, both men have empowered their communities and facilitated a two way conversation between government and people. An outcome which Steven McIntyre (Deputy Director General of the Department) was keen to promote in his comments at the end of the evening.
Watch the Jason Roberts address on IndesignLiveTV.
Planning NSW
(Hero Image: James O’Loughlin (Master of Ceremonies) and Jane-Frances Kelly (Grattan Institute)
INDESIGN is on instagram
Follow @indesignlive
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
In design, the concept of absence is particularly powerful – it’s the abundant potential of deliberate non-presence that amplifies the impact of what is. And it is this realm of sophisticated subtraction that Gaggenau’s Dishwasher 400 Series so generously – and quietly – occupies.
XTRA celebrates the distinctive and unexpected work of Magis in their Singapore showroom.
Within the intimate confines of compact living, where space is at a premium, efficiency is critical and dining out often trumps home cooking, Gaggenau’s 400 Series Culinary Drawer proves that limited space can, in fact, unlock unlimited culinary possibilities.
Gaggenau’s understated appliance fuses a carefully calibrated aesthetic of deliberate subtraction with an intuitive dynamism of culinary fluidity, unveiling a delightfully unrestricted spectrum of high-performing creativity.
Last Thursday night, in the heart of Brisbane, over 100 architects, designers and clients joined attended the launch of the James Richardson Brisbane showroom launch and the unveiling of new and inspiring products. The night was spent surrounded by award winning designs, unique product and a stylish ambiance.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
With events such as Craft Lab and The Great Takeaway, the city of Ballarat is centring design and craft for an economic reawakening.
In Cremorne, Foolscap Studio has completed Forum – a co-working space that finds inspiration in some Classical archetypes.