About Us

The Urban Design Association NSW is a democratic, incorporated association with the purpose of advancing urban design as a profession playing an essential role in shaping better built environments.

Better built environments are essential. Their quality affects the daily routines, health, work and prosperity of everyone in NSW. Improving the understanding of and recognising the role of urban design will help diagnose and fix the gaps between the promises and lived realities of our cities, towns and suburbs.

Professional discourse on urbanism, thought leadership and networking opportunities will be early priorities. The Urban Design Association will also strive to advance urban design as a profession through documenting competencies, improving education and offering a transparent recognition pathway.

A new voice for the urban design profession in NSW is testament to decades of work and advocacy by urban designers and the existing design and planning institutes. It is a milestone that all can share and celebrate. The Urban Design Association is looking forward to collaborating with other organisations seeking to improve the built environment.

Establishing the Urban Design Association also brings exciting opportunities to NSW from potential alliances with other urban design groups in Australia, such as Urban Design Forum (Victoria), Urban Design Alliance (Queensland) and internationally, such as the Urban Design Group (UK).