Planning Xchange

In PX16, Jess and Peter interview Jo Garretty a Director at Salt 3, a premier traffic engineering firm. Jo talks bikes, cars, trains and emerging traffic systems. She responds to criticisms that traffic engineers are too focused on roads at the expense of other urban elements. A refreshing talk about the prospects for great change in our urban transportation systems with technology creating opportunities of using spare capacity and facilitating new forms of transport. Music: Intro - 'Walk right up' by Ladi6. Outro: 'Like you want' to by Kita Alexander. Podcast originally released in June 2016 but re-recorded in November 2016. For more details see www.planningxchange.org.

In PX15 Jess and Peter interview Shelley Penn who has recently been appointed to head the City Design Studio at Melbourne City Council. Shelley has worked in a range of private and government roles and has been included in the list of the top one hundred most influential contemporary Australian women. Shelley brings a critical analysis to the challenges associated with creating good buildings and enjoyable city spaces. Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix. Outro: Intentions by Frames and Elizabeth Rose. Podcast released in March 2016. For more details see www.planningxchange.org.

In PX14 Jess and Peter interview Mark Sheppard one of Australia's foremost urban design experts. Mark has recently published 'Essentials of Urban Design', an A - Z guide to the fundamental concepts of urban design, providing the understanding and tools needed to achieve better design outcomes. In a broad ranging discussion, Mark discusses what went wrong with cities in the post war period and provides a host of remedies to improve the city experience. The interview covers such issues as reinventing the suburbs to cater for an increasingly diverse range of household types, place making, apartment design and how many different professions which influence city spaces can contribute to good urban design outcomes. He also makes various predictions about the shape of city form to come and the use of technology in making better decisions. PX14 is the final podcast for 2015. Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix, Outro - From the Basement to the Roof (radio edit) Club Cheval. Podcast released December 2015. Planningxchange (PX) releases podcasts on a monthly basis, for details go to www.planningxchange.org

In PX13 Jess and Peter interview one of Australia's foremost heritage architects, Bryce Raworth. Bryce talks of his formulative years, including a classical education, his love of Rome, the value of overseas study and digs in Syria. He discusses trends in heritage architecture over recent decades and makes various predictions. He discusses the rise of urban conservation from being a part consideration in urban redevelopment to being very much a valued primary element. On a personal level he discusses his families efforts in the restoration of a derelict 1840's country farm house, these efforts were recently recognised with a national conservation award. A delightful and wide ranging interview on all things heritage. Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix, Outro - Magnificat in D: Johann Sebastian Bach. Released December 2015. Planningxchange (PX) releases podcasts on a monthly basis, go to www.planningxchange.org for further details.

In PX12 Jess and Peter interview Nicola Smith. Nicola is a private consultant planner and Director of Niche Planning Studio. She has experience across three states of Australia as a land development manager, consultant, local government statutory planner and state government policy writer. She has a thirst for knowledge, is passionate about innovation in planning through social media and supports a strong mentoring system within the planning profession. The interview covers a broad range of urban planning issues and considers future trends including the question of how soon will it be until computers are making planning decisions. Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix, Outro - Define (Cassian Remix) Dom Dolla & Go Freek.

Podcast PX12 first released in October 2015, remix released November 2015. Planningxchange (PX) releases podcasts on a monthly basis, go to www.planningxchange.org for further details.

Melanie Lowe is a PhD student and research assistant with Place, Health and Liveability Research Program at the McCaughey VicHealth Community Wellbeing Unit, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne. Her research examines how to plan urban environments that support the social determinants of health. Melanie discusses factors which make cities more enjoyable and healthy places to live and the responsibilities of urban professionals to aim for these outcomes. The knowledge gained through research can be applied in first world and developing cities. An interesting interview which ties urban planning and public health research together. Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix, Outro - How Deep is your Love by Calvin Harris & Disciples

PX 11 Podcast first released in September 2015, remix released in November 2015.

Planningxchange (PX) releases podcasts on a monthly basis, go to www.planningxchange.org for further details.

Rose Iser is a community activist, lecturer and communicator. How can urban planners and government cope with the rapid advances of social media? Does social media 'dumb down' urban planning debates or is it a liberating tool that enhances the planning commons. PX10 delves into these issues. Rose talks of the evolving role of social media on city management, governance and urban change. Rose outlines the enabling features of social media for citizen participation and the consequences for better urban environments.

Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix, Outro - Don't Sound Right by Qronix.

The interview was recorded at the VPELA conference in Lorne, Victoria in August 2015 and released shortly afterwards. The podcast has been remixed in November 2015. PX releases podcasts on a monthly basis, visit www.planningxchange.org for further details.

Jonathan Gardiner is a director of Cox Architecture, a national architectural and urban design practice. His interest is in the development of future cities, and the positive role that public spaces and buildings as well as urban design can have in this process. His projects include AAMI Park in Melbourne, The North Melbourne Railway Station and the recently completed Adelaide Oval.

In a wide ranging interview Johno discusses what he has learnt about how cities function best, the delight in working with good project teams and the need for cultural sensitivity. Architecture and urban planning go hand in hand but there is often conflict. The interview allows the listener into the mind of the architect.

Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix, Outro - Don't Sound Right by Qronix. Interview first published in August 2015, remixed in November 2015.

PX Podcasts are released on a monthly basis, go to www.planningxchange.org for further details.

Clay Lucas writes for The Age covering urban affairs and transport. Clay discusses the difficulties obtaining information and the occasional pleasures of his profession. He discusses the interplay between the development industry, government including 'media advisors', interest groups and the public. The restrictions on access to information and the reluctance of parties to engage pose significant constraints on his reporting. Clay shines the light on areas that others wish to keep dark or at least gray. He also discusses the significant technological changes he has experienced in journalism and how he now contributes to a multi platform news agency.

An interview of interest for those concerned about how urban planning is reported in the press which remains a primary source of citizen understanding of city change and the forces behind it.

Music: Intro - Breezy House by Qronix, Outro - Don't Sound Right by Qronix

Podcast first released in June 2015, remixed November 2015. Further podcasts will be released on a monthly basis, go to www.planningxchange.org for details.

Andrew Dixon was the keynote speaker at the 2015 Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) National Congress. He is an agent of change in the revitalisation of cities in the UK. Andrew is not a city planner or architect his background is in the arts. We at PX describe him as a 'place - smith'.

Andrew talks of the benefits of cultural awareness and various 'identifiers' of different places. In a world of 'High Street sameness' and homogeneity compelled by mass marketing and retail economics, Andrew calls for cities and towns to celebrate their identity and bring the arts and cultural events to the forefront. In this process of revitalisation, different elements of the city community must pull together.

Andrew has worked extensively in Newcastle/Gateshead, Scotland and Hull. He believes broader perspectives including the input of artists will benefit enlivening urban spaces and help foster pride in place. He encourages the arts to be brought to the people and the people to be brought to the arts. The interview will hopefully be enjoyable for all those interested in city enhancement and urban planning.

The interview took place during the PIA National Congress. We are very grateful to PIA for this opportunity. The podcast was first released in May 2015 and remixed in November 2015. Future interviews will be released on a monthly basis. See the website www.planningxchange.org for further details.

Intro - Breezy House by Qronix, Outro - Cacophany by Qronix http://www.soundcloud.com/qronix/