9, PRIME MINISTER
TASK FORCE ON URBAN DESIGN
During a speech in Sydney this morning I announced that I have appointed a Task
Force on Urban Design to report to the Deputy Prime Minister and myself on ways in
which the day-to-day working, residential and recreational environment of Australians
might be enhanced by more thoughtful attention to urban design.
The Task Force has been asked to report by early next year under the terms of the
following charter:
" The Task Force should review the quality of urban design in Australia and make
recommendations to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for improvement.
It should particularly focus on ways in which the day-to-day working, residential and
recreational environment of most Australians might be enhanced by more thoughtful
attention to urban design.
Urban ( or ' community') design should be understood to apply to all scales and types of
urban activities and to be concerned about the physical arrangement and functioning of
urban activities, the physical appearance of the built environment and its relationship to
the natural environment, the way in which people experience it and the social and
economic factors which influence its quality.
The Task Force should examine all influences on the way in which urban growth and
change takes place, including informal but conventional practices and formal planning
controls. It should consider the impact of current trends in urban development and
whether current practices are adequate to create pleasing results.
The Task Force should determine how improved design may enhance the quality of the
built environment and provide examples of the way in which this might occur. In
'-making eommendations forimprvements, thereport may wish to increase examples
in Australia or in other countries of more successful urban design than is commonly
encountered in Australia.
In making its recommendations the Task Force should bear in mind their feasibility,
equity, practicality and cost. It should also take into account current complementary
work on urban planning issues, including the Better Cities Program and the National
Urban Development Program."
The members of the Task Force are:
Mr John Mant ( Convenor)
Solicitor Planner
Phillips Fox
SYDNEY Professor David Yencken
Professor Landscape Architecture
Melbourne University
MELBOURNE Professor Evan Walker
Dean of School of Architecture
Melbourne University
MELBOURNE Mr Alex Tzannes
Architect SYDNEY
Mr Michael Llewellyn-Smith
General Manager
Adelaide City Council
ADELAIDE Ms Wendy Morris
Architect Urban Designer
Department of Planning Urban Growth
MELBOURNE Professor Peter Droege
Professor of Urban Design
Sydney University
SYDNEY Mr Espie Dods
Architect SYDNEY Mr Neville Gruzman
Architect Councillor
SYDNEY Mr Geoff Campbell
Planner Deputy Prime Minister's Ofce
CANBERRA
1.3
Dr Catherine Bull
Landcape Designer
Queensland University of Technology
QUEENSLAND Mr Michael Dickinson
Journalist Belle Magazine
SYDNEY Mr John Mant can be contacted on 02 296 8127.
3 November, 1993