ShareDesigning precincts that last: Behind the blueprints of urban success
Cracking the code to what makes a great urban precinct is no small task, but it's one that cities everywhere are trying to solve.
At this year’s Sustainability Summit in Sydney, one standout panel will dig into exactly that: the behind-the-scenes thinking that turns a master plan into a long-term success.
Titled "The secrets of success behind master planning urban precincts", the panel brings together leading voices from across planning, design, government and development.
Together, they’ll unpack the many layers that go into creating places people want to live, work and gather, not just now, but for decades to come.
From finding the right balance between density and green space to ensuring transport, community services and cultural identity all work in sync, the discussion will move beyond theory and into real-world lessons.
The speakers will share practical insights from projects that have succeeded and the ones that had to pivot. Expect honest reflections on what it takes to manage competing priorities, build community trust and design for a future that’s anything but predictable.
The panel will also explore how governance structures, collaborative planning and flexible frameworks can make or break a precinct’s ability to grow and adapt over time. These aren’t abstract ideas, they’re crucial tools for building places that don’t just function, but flourish.
Joining the panel are:
• Rob Stokes, former NSW Minister for Planning and leading voice in sustainable urban development.
• Alexandra Faure, Sustainability Strategist and Urbanist at HIP V. HYPE, with a strong focus on climate-conscious urban living.
• Annie Tennant, Director, Design and Place at Placemaking NSW, who brings a government perspective on place-led planning.
• Jenna Keyes, Principal, Cities and Places – Urban Design at GroupGSA, with hands-on experience delivering people-centred precincts.
Faure says that early integration is key when planning on an urban scale, and is one of elements that must be embedded from the beginning to become part of the urban fabric.
“Energy efficiency has been taken in greater consideration for a little while, but we are now turning our minds to upfront carbon in precinct delivery too, as well as long-term climate resilience of the built form we plan for,” she says.
“If we fail to plan for change today, we lock in future risks, higher costs, and inequities. What’s ignored early—whether climate exposure, mobility needs, or cultural identity – often becomes a harder, more expensive problem to fix later,” she says.
According to the HIP V. HYPE Associate and Urbanist, long-term adaptability is also essential.
“Long-term adaptability safeguards not just liveability, but also economic viability, climate resilience, and social equity – ensuring that precincts thrive across generations.”
With cities under growing pressure to deliver more housing, better infrastructure and stronger climate resilience, getting precinct planning right has never been more important.
This session is a chance to hear directly from the people who are doing just that and to walk away with ideas you can apply to your own work.
Don’t miss this essential conversation at the Sustainability Summit on 19 November at the Fullerton Hotel, Sydney.
Register now to secure your spot and be part of shaping the cities of the future.
This panel is bought to you by AWS & DuraCube.
Image: Buildings in Sydney city centre from the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia / MatthewWilliams-Ellis on Envato
