April McCabe on LinkedIn: Nature’s Blueprint: The Transformative Impact of Biophilic Design —… (2024)

What a day spent talking with young people of North Sydney. The ideas and discussions were so inspiring. Was proud to support North Sydney Council to deliver these important conversations. The Planning Studio Emma FitzRoy Krista McMaster Gabriella T. Rebecca Farrell

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If you have a beautifully biophilic project please share it with us! Help us to showcase the exemplary projects from around Australia. Big or small … we want to see them all and celebrate biophilic design #biophilicdesign

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*** Calling Inner Westies that identify as female and gender diverse ***The Planning Studio are hosting a series of workshops next week for women, girls and gender diverse people to co-design a new creative lighting project to be installed in the Newtown, Petersham and Ashfield pedestrian tunnels. To register for the walkshop click here - https://lnkd.in/gCDqDyGkSpaces are limited [its a tunnel] but there are a couple of spots left if you a keen [but I suggest get in a register quick] Details below and please share with your peeps. Hope you can join me and the team for some creative and fun evening.

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*** Peak Planning Nerd Moment ***I am so excited to have found (and now the owner) of the Sydney Region Outline Plan 1970-2000 and it's fascinating to see what planners 50+ years ago were grappling with .... the more it changes the more it stays the same (except for the document font and the focus on things other than housing!).The Basic Principles underlying the Plan were:- Problem with Growth of Single-Centre Cities - Replacement of the Green Belt - Satellite Town ConceptPrinciple 1: Linear extension along communications corridors which high intensity activities, such as commercial and industrial centres and universities located on the rail system where possiblePrinciple 2: A highway grid aimed a reducing the dominance of the radial pattern focused on the metropolitan city and at increasing the accessibility of coastal areasPrinciple 3: New cities each with individual identify and with the widest possible range of employment and social facilities. Principle 4: Phasing urban expansion to fully utilise existing communications and public utilities infrastructure and to promote orderly and economical expansion. Principle 5: Establishing special "open" corridors for movement which will include extensions to public utility services Principle 6: Developing the Sydney-Newcastle-Wollongong area as one inter-related linear urban complex with special emphasis on a north-south communications corridor linking the three areas. (this also talks to the relationship between the economies and port facilities and its importance in the pattern of world trade)Principle 7: Creating strong new commercial centres to secure a more balanced distribution of commercial activity and employment.

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Thank you Jess Miller for introducing me to the world of Biophilic Design. Thanks to Stephen Choi and Suzie Barnett for welcoming an unsuspecting planner into the BDA crew. It is these moments, opportunities and connections that I am eternally grateful for! The principles continue to improve my practice and the people I meet and work with in this space fill my soul! If you don’t know what Biophilia or Biophilic Design is check out the Living Future Institute of Australia website. I had no idea what it was 6 years ago so all you need is curiosity and openness. There is also a new Planning Institute of Australia short course coming up in 2024 that is an introduction to Biophilic Design as well. #biophilicdesign #planning #architecture #cities

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My favourite awards where we get to see some amazingly thoughtful design responses that showcase the benefit and beauty of a biophilic design approach but also the types of buildings, uses and design that enables connections to Country, improves health and wellbeing and just fills the soul...If you have a project or know of a project, we want to hear about it. Like us all, the projects come in all shapes and sizes but all important. If you have any questions, please reach out and have a chat and please help us to get the word out and share with your networks.Can't wait to see the biophilic buildings that are around.....#biophilicdesign #architecture #design #community #cities

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Still time to nominate one of your female colleagues that deserves recognition for their contribution to planning in NSW.

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It's the most wonderful and reflective time of the year! 2023 has been a year of high highs (in particular getting married and being able to share it with our wonderful community) and some tough, sad times. Though reflecting on things, I am so grateful for the new opportunities that have come my way, the longstanding work partnerships that just go from strength to strength, building new positive partnerships, and the generosity that comes with sharing the knowledge and expertise that everyone brings - all which continue to improve my practice and challenge my thinking and perspectives - and being able to work on meaningful projects with dedicated colleagues. Thanks to you wonderful humans that have been on this journey with me for the past 18 months. I look forward to 2024 and all the things that are ahead. Wishing you and yours a happy holidays and restful new year...

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