A masterclass on placemaking with an Indigenous approach, for built environment professionals to develop connecting with Country strategies.

The paradigm of western planners and designers in relation to place has traditionally assumed a hierarchy of human activity and economy, over land, culture, and environment. This time is over, today our planning and designs require environmental sustainability and cultural connection.

How will Australian built environment professionals manage the change and stay relevant in the field?

It is now widely recognised that incorporating an Indigenous approach to place allows for balanced connection between environment and culture. Connecting with Country is caring for the people of Country.

Two Way Planning, Design and Place Masterclass guides built environment place-makers, planners and designers as we step into a different awareness of place strategy. A strategy with awareness of the interdependent relationship between humans and the environment around us.

“Two Way Masterclass is a must for anyone in the built environment field to stay current.” - 2022 Sydney Masterclass Attendee

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop an understanding of an Indigenous Australian approach to place.

• Explore the opportunities of inter-cultural planning and design.

• Build capacity to work collaboratively with Indigenous colleagues and communities.

• Ability to apply culturally informed strategies to place-based projects.

• Apply frameworks for planning and designing with Country.

• Grow courage to navigate the process of change.

• Welcome the future of unique Australian architecture and design.

• Keep current in built environment planning and design.

Meet the Facilitators:

Carol Vale, CEO - Murawin Pty Ltd
Michelle Howard, Managing Director - Collaborations Pty Ltd

*Facilitators Michelle and Carol during a Two Way Planning Workshop*

Carol Vale is a Dunghutti woman from NSW with extensive experience in public policy and a career spanning over 35 years across a range of portfolio areas including Aboriginal affairs, education, housing, family, and community services. Since resigning from government in 2013, Carol founded Murawin, where she is committed to creating impact, enhancing leadership, management capabilities and cultural competencies in her clients. She has supported her clients in the planning, infrastructure and development arena to assist with the integration of Country into projects. She has an in-depth appreciation of the challenges and opportunities for those in leadership roles in walking between two worlds, and experience on major government infrastructure and planning projects.

Michelle Howard is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and an internationally accredited facilitator and strategic planner. Born on Palawa Country, Michelle has worked with Indigenous colleagues and friends since 1988 to integrate a stronger cultural narrative and voice in art, planning and design projects. As Managing Director of Collaborations, she has worked on planning, design and infrastructure projects across Australia for the past 30 years. Michelle’s skills in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and managing complex issues of change, have been sought after by public, private and not-for-profit organisations. Michelle is an experienced trainer and mentor within the urban planning and community engagement sectors.

Build capacity to work more effectively with Indigenous communities and integrate cultural narratives and First Nations strategies into your design and planning work. Explore the concept of connection to Country and how it impacts our approach as built environment professionals and place makers in Australia in 2024.

Who is the Masterclass for?

• Urban Planners

• Urban Designers

• Sustainability Consultants

• Environmental Consultants

• Heritage Consultants

• Infrastructure Planners

• Project Directors

• Project Managers

• Architects

• Building Designers

• Engineers

• Open Space Planners

• Landscape Architects

• Developers

• Local Government Policy Makers

• Infrastructure Policy Makers

When: Run over 1 business day for busy professionals - 9:30am to 5:00pm, Fri 9th Aug 2024

Catering: Refreshments and Lunch provided

Group discount: Receive $150 discount each when you group book 3 or more tickets together.

Affiliate organisation member discount: Receive $150 discount as a member of:

PIA - Planning Institute of Australia
AIA - Australian Institute of Architects
AILA - Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
TASA - The Australian Socialogical Association

What to Expect:

Join us for courageous planning and design conversations covering topics such as:

How do we respect and integrate Indigenous knowledge, stories, and narratives in our approach?
How do we respectfully and effectively engage and collaborate?
What is the legacy we leave through design, planning and construction?