Designed to drive positive change, promote sustainable practices and cultivate inclusive communities, the recent launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Design will champion the role of urban design in shaping the nation's identity.

Australian urban design marked a significant development at the 2024 Australian Urban Design Awards ceremony, which saw the launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Urban Design. Led by a cross-party trio — Greens Minister for Ryan (and qualified architect!), MP Elizabeth Watson Brown, Labor Minister for Moreton Graham Perrett and Liberal Minister for Fadden Cameron Caldwell — this collaborative effort will champion innovation and excellence in urban design and influence government policies to enhance our built environments.

The Parliamentary Friends of Australian Urban Design endeavour is a comprehensive and multi-faceted vision built upon four core pillars: Fostering bipartisan discussions and collaboration among Senators, Members of Parliament and stakeholders. Increase awareness of the importance of good urban design among all Senators and Members of Parliament. Collaborate with stakeholders to address urban design issues that significantly impact the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of communities. And advocate for the pivotal role of good urban design in shaping the nation’s identity.

The establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Urban Design embodies a commitment to leading membership parties, including the Australian Institute of Architects, the Planning Institute of Australia, and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture, alongside various other supporters.

Elizabeth Watson Brown MP expressed her commitment to leading the initiative and the potential for positive impacts on economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of communities through effective urban design.

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“Urban resilience, de-carbonisation, accessibility and social equity are fundamental to a sustainable, survivable future for all of us and the professions, the community and the parliament can share agency in designing this future together,” says Watson-Brown. “The launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Urban Design heralds a new era of collaboration and advocacy, reinforcing the commitment of Parliamentarians to championing innovative and sustainable urban design practices for the benefit of all Australians.”

Parliamentary Friends of Australian Urban Design
aph.gov.au

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