Planning Xchange

In PX26, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview outdoor artist Clare McCracken. Clare is a Melbourne based mixed-media artists and PhD candidate at RMIT University. Clare's practice includes large scale immersive installations, fine art objects and contemporary performance. Clare discusses the potential for art to improve the urban fabric and well being of citzens. She talks to the ability of the arts to engage in urban isses including the transformation of suburbs. A dynamic subject and guest. Music: Intro - 'Walk right up' Ladi6. Midbreak - 'Green and Gold' Takuya Kuroda. Outro - 'Mais Que Nada' Segio Mendes & Brasil 66. Podcast released 20 May 2017, remastered November 2017. For more information visit www.planningxchange.org.

In PX25, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview James Livingston a Melbourne based planning consultant. James has worked in local government, the advertising industry and over the past 15 years his own consultancy. James talks of the benefits and disadvantages of being a sole practitioner. He takes a positive view on future city development whilst casting an eye over the anxiety's of the age. A highly original thinker, James presents new ideas to well established problems in urban affairs. Music: Intro - 'Walk right up' Ladi6. Midbreak - 'Green and Gold' Takuya Kuroda. Outro - 'Mais Que Nada' Segio Mendes & Brasil 66. Podcast released 29 April 2017, remastered November 2017. For more information visit www.planningxchange.org.

In PX24, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview town planner Nevan Wadeson from Tract Consultants. Nevan has been a practising planner since the late 1970's in both government and private fields. In this interview he discusses the various trends some of which have come full circle, the challenges cities face, the question of measuring the effectiveness of planning systems, the need for experimentation and looks into the future with particular comments about AI. A fresh and mature look at what planners can do well and the need for renewal. Music: Intro - 'Walk right up' Ladi6. Midbreak - 'Green and Gold' Takuya Kuroda. Outro - 'Mais Que Nada' Segio Mendes & Brasil 66'. Podcast released 6 April 2017, remastered November 2017. For more information go to www.planningxchange.org

In PX23, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview planning consultant Colleen Peterson. When highly restrictive residential zones were being prepared by the State Government of Victoria, Colleen was the leading advocate in the charge to have them abandoned. In this PX interview Colleen is asked about the ethical questions town planners face and the difficulties both for an individual and a company in taking a stance against Government directives. She also talks about the pressures imposed by modern communications and the blurring of work and homelife. Topics also covered are the failure of planning policies to provide for reasonable housing options and costs. A refreshing and frank discussion about contemporary planning practice. This is the first PX interview for 2017. Music: Intro - 'Walk right up' Ladi6. Midbreak - 'Green and Gold' Takuya Kuroda. Outro - 'Mais Que Nada' Segio Mendes & Brasil 66. Podcast released 2 March 2017, remastered November 2017. For more information visit www.planningxchange.org

In PX22, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Johnny Barnard, a 'population observer' - he is a demographer, with over 25 years experience. Johnny is a Director at ID Consulting an Australian and New Zealand firm that specialises in reviewing and providing analysis of population changes, past and future. In a broad ranging interview Johnny discusses the advances made in the profession, potential pitfalls with forecasting, the use of the data, value judgements in population analysis, emerging city issues, the census and makes predictions based on current trends. In additon he discusses the importance of city structure to the well being of communities and the desirability of creating equitable cities. This is the final PX podcast for 2016. Music: Intro - 'Walk right up' by Ladi6. Outro - 'Mais Que Nada' Segio Mendes & Brasil 66. Podcast released in December 2016, remastered November 2017. For more information visit www.planningxchange.org.

In PX21, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview John Henshall, an urban economist with over 40 years experience in Australia, Europe and Asia. Topics discussed include ethics, disruptive economic trends, common mistakes in economic assessments, what eastern cities can teach western cities, the revitalisation of small towns and the necessity of failure. On a personal side, John talks of his joy in being involved in the revitalisation of Clarksdale Mississippi, a pivotal place in the emergence and evolution of the blues. Music: Intro - 'Walk right up' by Ladi6. Outro - 'Mais Que Nada' Segio Mendes & Brasil 66. Podcast released in October 2016, remastered November 2017. For more details visit www.planningxchange.org.

IN PX20, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview prominent and widely respected barrister Nick Tweedie. Nick specialises in planning related disputes with frequent appearances before VCAT and Panels Victoria. Nick orginally hails from Perth Western Australia and discusses what he enjoys about his new home town of Melbourne. He talks about the respective roles of advocate, expert witness and decision maker. The discussion also examines the structural and inherent difficulties in developing sound planning policies. Although based on the Victorian experience it will be of interest to practitioners in other states and countries. Nick recently appeared before the Independent Panel that considered the built form review for central Melbourne. Of this most important of reviews, Nick explains his disappointment at the quality of the submissions that sought to justify the changes. A reminder that planning policy has significant implications on the well being, choice and opportunities available to citzens. A broad ranging interview that is equally candid and inspiring. Music: Intro - Walk right up by Ladi6. Outro - My Boy, My Town (Shura Remix) by Mabel. Podcast released in October 2016. For more details go to www.planningxchange.org

In PX19, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview David Song and Dan Bowden co directors of Song Bowden planning consultants. Both Dave and Dan are experienced planning consultants who represent both the private and government sector. They appear regularly at VCAT, the Victorian Tribunal which considers planning disputes. In a broad ranging interview the double D's discuss what brought them together, working as a team, the strengths in difference and their take on how the planning system muddles through challenging times. Both subjects are candid in their answers and provide zesty and thoughtful insights into some very serious planning topics. Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix. Outro - Spooky by Dusty Springfield (Quinten 909 Extended Mix). Podcast released in August 2016. For more details go to www.planningxchange.org

In PX18, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Brian 'Harry' Haratsis a Director and founder of Macroplan Dimasi. Harry is an economic planner / forecaster and author of three books. His books 'Australia 2050', 'Beyond the Fringe' and the recently released 'Destructive Cities' make a provocative and engaging assessment of urban issues in light of societal, economic and technological changes. Harry finds that the traditional 'Garden City movement' no longer serves our citzens and diverts attention away from where planners should be focused. In a sparkling interview, Harry describes much of planning theory and practice as outdated and a situation akin to the 'emperor having no clothes'. Harry is an original thinker, a planning philospher who surfs. One of Australia's foremost planning intellectuals, he presents challenging ideas in a straight forward accessible manner. Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix. Outro - This Girl (Kungs vs. Cookin' on 3 Burners). Podcast released August 2016. For more details see www.planningxchange.org

In PX17, Jess and Peter interview Chris Goss of Orbit Solutions. Chris is trained as an architect and has branched out into high end computer visualisation. Chris discusses his path from being a wilderness guide in the depths of the Tasmanian bush whilst at uni to now producing cutting edge computer visualisation, BIM and graphic presentation. During the interview he discusses how technology is shaping our cities and citizen's experiences. He brings an optimistic approach to what the future holds and provides us with the 'Goss Law' (with apologies to Moore's Law). Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix. Outro - Lekker Niet (feat. Willem de Bruin) by Faberyayo X Tony. Podcast released in June 2016. For more details see www.planningxchange.org.