The Urban Design and Planning Chapter of Street Level Australia is a dedicated group of professionals committed to revitalising Australian cities through the principles of traditional town planning. We believe that traditional town planning, rooted in the 1996 Charter for New Urbanism, offers a sustainable and human-centric approach to urban development.

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You may join the chapter as a professional planner, urban designer, planning policymaker, developer or student, or a professional in an adjacent domain. 

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Why join?

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• Champion traditional town planning: Be part of a community dedicated to promoting the principles of traditional urbanism and town planning in Australia through practice and policy.

• Network with national and international senior leaders: Connect with experienced urban designers, planners, developers, and policymakers who are working on real developments and forming policy.

• Stay informed: Access our online channels and stay up to date with our policy agenda.

• Collaborate on projects: Work together on initiatives to implement traditional town planning principles in Australian cities and towns.

 

 

Our view on planning and development

 

We advocate for the implementation of traditional town planning principles in Australian cities, municipalities, and towns, guided by the 1996 Charter for New Urbanism and drawing inspiration from the approach of the Notre Dame School of Architecture in Indianapolis. This approach emphasises:

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• Hierarchy of scale: Designing urban spaces that reflect a natural hierarchy, from the intimate scale of the neighbourhood to the grandeur of the city centre.

• Vibrant land use: Reducing urban sprawl and single-use zoning and mixing residential, commercial, and institutional uses within a single area.

• Urban fabric: Creating a cohesive and interconnected urban fabric through the use of streets, squares, and public spaces.

• Public realm: Prioritising the design of public spaces that are inviting, accessible, and contribute to a sense of community.

• Civic design: Incorporating elements of civic design, such as monumental architecture, public art, and civic spaces that inspire and elevate the human spirit.

• Human scale: Designing urban spaces that are human-scaled, with buildings and streets that are comfortable for pedestrians to navigate.

 

Our members work within their organisations, professional associations and networks and connections and relationships to advocate for our approach.