In PX19, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview David Song and Dan Bowden co directors of Song Bowden planning consultants. Both Dave and Dan are experienced planning consultants who represent both the private and government sector. They appear regularly at VCAT, the Victorian Tribunal which considers planning disputes. In a broad ranging interview the double D's discuss what brought them together, working as a team, the strengths in difference and their take on how the planning system muddles t...
Aug 30, 2016•31 min
In PX18, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Brian 'Harry' Haratsis a Director and founder of Macroplan Dimasi. Harry is an economic planner / forecaster and author of three books. His books 'Australia 2050', 'Beyond the Fringe' and the recently released 'Destructive Cities' make a provocative and engaging assessment of urban issues in light of societal, economic and technological changes. Harry finds that the traditional 'Garden City movement' no longer serves our citzens and diverts attenti...
Aug 01, 2016•28 min
In PX17, Jess and Peter interview Chris Goss of Orbit Solutions. Chris is trained as an architect and has branched out into high end computer visualisation. Chris discusses his path from being a wilderness guide in the depths of the Tasmanian bush whilst at uni to now producing cutting edge computer visualisation, BIM and graphic presentation. During the interview he discusses how technology is shaping our cities and citizen's experiences. He brings an optimistic approach to what the future hold...
Jun 18, 2016•28 min
In PX16, Jess and Peter interview Jo Garretty a Director at Salt 3, a premier traffic engineering firm. Jo talks bikes, cars, trains and emerging traffic systems. She responds to criticisms that traffic engineers are too focused on roads at the expense of other urban elements. A refreshing talk about the prospects for great change in our urban transportation systems with technology creating opportunities of using spare capacity and facilitating new forms of transport. Music: Intro - 'Walk right ...
Jun 02, 2016•23 min
In PX15 Jess and Peter interview Shelley Penn who has recently been appointed to head the City Design Studio at Melbourne City Council. Shelley has worked in a range of private and government roles and has been included in the list of the top one hundred most influential contemporary Australian women. Shelley brings a critical analysis to the challenges associated with creating good buildings and enjoyable city spaces. Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix. Outro: Intentions by Frames and Elizab...
Mar 19, 2016•37 min
In PX14 Jess and Peter interview Mark Sheppard one of Australia's foremost urban design experts. Mark has recently published 'Essentials of Urban Design', an A - Z guide to the fundamental concepts of urban design, providing the understanding and tools needed to achieve better design outcomes. In a broad ranging discussion, Mark discusses what went wrong with cities in the post war period and provides a host of remedies to improve the city experience. The interview covers such issues as reinvent...
Dec 10, 2015•35 min
In PX13 Jess and Peter interview one of Australia's foremost heritage architects, Bryce Raworth. Bryce talks of his formulative years, including a classical education, his love of Rome, the value of overseas study and digs in Syria. He discusses trends in heritage architecture over recent decades and makes various predictions. He discusses the rise of urban conservation from being a part consideration in urban redevelopment to being very much a valued primary element. On a personal level he disc...
Dec 03, 2015•38 min
In PX12 Jess and Peter interview Nicola Smith. Nicola is a private consultant planner and Director of Niche Planning Studio. She has experience across three states of Australia as a land development manager, consultant, local government statutory planner and state government policy writer. She has a thirst for knowledge, is passionate about innovation in planning through social media and supports a strong mentoring system within the planning profession. The interview covers a broad range of urba...
Oct 30, 2015•32 min
Melanie Lowe is a PhD student and research assistant with Place, Health and Liveability Research Program at the McCaughey VicHealth Community Wellbeing Unit, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne. Her research examines how to plan urban environments that support the social determinants of health. Melanie discusses factors which make cities more enjoyable and healthy places to live and the responsibilities of urban professionals to aim for these outcomes. The knowled...
Sep 07, 2015•36 min
Rose Iser is a community activist, lecturer and communicator. How can urban planners and government cope with the rapid advances of social media? Does social media 'dumb down' urban planning debates or is it a liberating tool that enhances the planning commons. PX10 delves into these issues. Rose talks of the evolving role of social media on city management, governance and urban change. Rose outlines the enabling features of social media for citizen participation and the consequences for better ...
Aug 16, 2015•32 min
Jonathan Gardiner is a director of Cox Architecture, a national architectural and urban design practice. His interest is in the development of future cities, and the positive role that public spaces and buildings as well as urban design can have in this process. His projects include AAMI Park in Melbourne, The North Melbourne Railway Station and the recently completed Adelaide Oval. In a wide ranging interview Johno discusses what he has learnt about how cities function best, the delight in work...
Aug 01, 2015•35 min
Clay Lucas writes for The Age covering urban affairs and transport. Clay discusses the difficulties obtaining information and the occasional pleasures of his profession. He discusses the interplay between the development industry, government including 'media advisors', interest groups and the public. The restrictions on access to information and the reluctance of parties to engage pose significant constraints on his reporting. Clay shines the light on areas that others wish to keep dark or at le...
Jun 18, 2015•31 min
Andrew Dixon was the keynote speaker at the 2015 Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) National Congress. He is an agent of change in the revitalisation of cities in the UK. Andrew is not a city planner or architect his background is in the arts. We at PX describe him as a 'place - smith'. Andrew talks of the benefits of cultural awareness and various 'identifiers' of different places. In a world of 'High Street sameness' and homogeneity compelled by mass marketing and retail economics, Andrew c...
May 15, 2015•33 min
Cameron defies all stereo types of property 'developers' and by so doing calls into question common prejudices against 'housing creators'. Cameron describes his formulative years, the benefits of research, engagement with projects, and the broad scope of developing housing. On a personal side, he outlines the motivations and joy of his work. Bright and engaging in this episode we are given a rare insight into the mind of the developer. Certain sections of the urban planning profession have a lov...
Apr 28, 2015•41 min
Stephen talks about his book on film and cities titled 'Movie Towns and Sitcom Suburbs'. He outlines how our perceptions of cities, lifestyles and community are shaped by film. He also discusses the feedback loop between film and city living. Stephen is an experienced town planner. He now lectures at RMIT. He discusses the pleasure of lecturing and alludes to the 'burnout' or fatigue that sets in after many years of working at local government level. Intro - All For U by RJD2 Outro - Cacophany b...
Apr 01, 2015•40 min
Jane discusses her early influences 'Out of Africe', uni days and the complex tasks facing urbanists. In a wide ranging discussion she ends on a note of confidence. Intro is 'Breezy House' by Tom Jewell soundcloud.com/qronix, outro is Girl (featuring Kaytranada) The Internet. Podcast first released in March 2015, remixed Nov 2015. Future interviews will be released on a monthly basis. See the website www.planningxchange.org for further details....
Mar 05, 2015•40 min
Jess and Peter interview Stuart Morris QC. Stuart has been a major figure within the Victorian planning scene over several decades. As a Tribunal member (later President of VCAT) he wrote many landmark decisions that are widely cited. He is now a well sought after QC. Stuart discusses not only the rights of the individual but the societal benefits of individual rights. He cautions against inertia and puts the spotlight on the dynamics of change. Podcast originally released February 2015, remixed...
Feb 14, 2015•39 min
Tim Biles a well experienced urban planner states the case for greater courage in dealing with urban problems. He outlines the experiences that have shaped his outlook on city development and offers insights into the future of our urban spaces. Tim was one of the first planners to recognise the importance of urban design in city environments. Through this process he promoted design outcomes and less emphasis on a strict application of statutory rules. He talks of his special interest in refugee ...
Dec 07, 2014•39 min
Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Chris Abery one of Australia's foremost retail / urban planning specialists. In a broad ranging interview Chris discusses 'clicks v bricks', disruptors, recent and future trends in the retail sector and how planning controls influence retail capital expenditure. Chris also discusses the increasing sophistication by which retailers gain an understanding of customer behaviour and entice spending. He discusses the continual role of traditional strip centres an...
Dec 07, 2014•38 min
