Hayball and the Melbourne Regenerative Design Forum are pleased to present Stop Counting Towers. Start Building Places — a Q&A forum exploring what a good neighbourhood actually looks like, and how to put that question back where it belongs: at the heart of Victoria's planning reform.

The energy crisis is biting hard, with its implications projected to unfold for years to come. Add to that a global housing shortage, rapidly unaffordable house prices, and a world entering a new renaissance of software development and digital disruption.

The urgent question now is are our cities and planning systems equipped to meet these challenges head on?

This is the moment to bring Melbourne’s 20 minute neighbourhood framework back to the forefront of the nation's conversation.

What does timeless town planning actually look like — one that delivers transit-based, mixed-use, walkable neighbourhoods that are not only eminently liveable, but deeply human and enduring? And what does it mean for the resilience of both people and nature?

This conversation sits at the intersection of urban design, economic strategy, and community mobilisation. It is a conversation that built environment professionals must bring to the design table — and one we cannot afford to ignore.

Places are limited so don’t delay signing up.

PANELLISTS

James Mant – Keynote speaker

Cofounder, Spero-ai | Editor of PIA Newsletter | PIA Committee Member

James led the award-winning 20-Minute Neighbourhoods policy and the Future Homes program for the Victorian Government, and helped shape Plan Melbourne 2017–2050, the city's long-term metropolitan strategy. James brings more than 20 years of experience spanning state and local government, urban policy, and design strategy.

As co-founder and CEP of Spero-ai, he is leading a new era of AI-driven planning that uses technology and co-design to cut through process and return the focus of planning to what truly matters: great design, liveability, and outstanding outcomes for people.

Ann Lau
Director | Hayball

Ann is a Design Director at Hayball, working across architecture, interiors, and urban design. With more than 20 years of experience in Australia, Europe, Singapore, and China, she brings a genuinely international perspective to her practice. Ann regularly sits on design award juries and has served as a Chapter Councillor for the Australian Institute of Architects (Victoria). Having held teaching positions and undertaken research with universities in Australia and the Netherlands, she is deeply committed to education and professional mentorship.

Mike Day
Cofounder, Sharp Day

Mike is the cofounder and Director of Sharp | Day, a practice dedicated to Nature Positive Urbanism. He was the principal master planner and urban designer of Ellenbrook New Town in Western Australia, which received the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) 2015 World Prix d'Excellence Award as the world's best master-planned community.

Mike has worked extensively as an adviser to Australian state governments, assembling and leading design teams on new towns and urban renewal projects across the UAE, Indonesia, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and the ACT. He is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.

Rebecca Finn | Founding Director, UrbanFold | Co-Vice President of Urban Design Forum Australia

Rebecca is an urban designer and registered landscape architect with significant experience in the design of cities, towns and neighbourhoods across Australia and North America. A landscape architect first, Rebecca brings with her a deep appreciation of the natural environment and ecological processes. She is now focused on designing lively, functional, and sustainable places for the communities in which she works.

Contact the host of Stop Counting Towers. Start Building Places

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