Woods Bagot Urban Design Leader (Australia & New Zealand) Heinz von Eckartsberg has been appointed Vice President of the Urban Design Forum for 2023/24.

The forum’s annual general meeting (AGM) was held in August, during which Katherine Sundermann was also named the next president, succeeding former president Leanne Hodyl, and Audrey Leonore Lopez the new secretary and treasurer.

The Urban Design Forum is a non-profit organisation supporting public interest outcomes in Australian cities, advocating for the role communities can play in addressing major environmental and social challenges since 1986.

UDF is informed by three key pillars: creating a supportive network of urban designers and allied professionals; sharing knowledge on best practice urbanism; and researching and advocating for better urban education, systems, and outcomes.

Von Eckartsberg was previously an elected committee member and secretary on the forum and in his new post as vice president, he will represent the forum in media and speaking opportunities, advocate for best practice urbanism, educate supporters through workshops and knowledge building, and help garner a wider membership base through industry engagement.

Over the last year, UDF has grown its membership base through events and programs; shared knowledge through public events and media appearances; and advocating for change through numerous government submissions.

Von Eckartsberg says he intends to continue the forum’s trajectory through advocacy like the recently released Victorian Planning Reform: Re-framing urban design at the heart of liveability as well as education and knowledge building through events like Practice Forum, and the upcoming MPavilion event: Place as Protagonist.

“I look forward to the year ahead with this exceptional group of people to expand on the impact of Urban Design Forum Australia as a platform for elevating public interest outcomes in our cities,” he says.

Image: Woods Bagot / Supplied

Branko Miletic

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