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Parks: Past, Present & Future

25 March 2009

The workshop PARKS: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE is an initiative of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and is hosted by the Parklands Foundation and supported by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Western Sydney Parklands Trust.

This workshop is part of AILA NSW’s Continuing Professional Development program and has been developed to engage Landscape Architects, Park Managers, and Strategic Planners in the challenges of planning, operating and funding support for the sustainable development for Sydney’s metropolitan open space system.

AILA, as Australia’s peak body of land based planning and design professionals, is an advocate for the development of metropolitan open space systems and has a core commitment to the four pillars of sustainability – environmental protection, social justice and corporate responsibility balanced with economic outcomes.

Signature public parks and open spaces that Landscape Architects have played a strategic role in include Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park’s open spaces, Western Sydney Parklands, Parramatta and Cooks River Corridors and the Mt Annan and Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens.

“Landscape Architects are increasingly leading and working in multi-disciplinary teams to plan, design and regenerate post-industrial lands for much needed new community open space in Sydney. This workshop will explore new ways for Landscape Architects to work in partnerships to respond to major challenges such as urban densification, adaptation to climate change through designing more healthy cities and sustainable open spaces. This event brings together Environmental Designers, Government, Corporates and Not-For-Profits to strengthen support for metropolitan parks,” said President of AILA NSW Sacha Coles.

Sydney Olympic Park Authority CEO Alan Marsh said Landscape Architects played an important role in the creation of Sydney Olympic Park and its 425 hectares of parklands.

“Landscape Architects played an important role in the remediation of Sydney Olympic Park – one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects – and the profession continues to be a voice for sustainable development,” Mr Marsh said.

“Sydney Olympic Park Authority is committed to protecting and enhancing the parklands of Sydney Olympic Park and our support of the AILA NSW conference is an example of our engagement through our not-for-profit arm, the Parklands Foundation, with professional, business and community groups for the benefit of our parklands and the people of NSW.”

Sydney Olympic Park Authority Executive Manager Parklands & Environment and Acting Director Parklands Foundation Andrew Ferris said: “The workshop highlights the opportunity for key players in city parks to consider new ways of working together to sustainably develop our cities green lungs, expand areas for recreation, environmental protection and education and community meeting places.”

PARKS: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE also looks further west to Sydney’s rapidly growing urban release areas connected by the emerging Western Sydney Parklands. “This 5,280 hectare mega park is a legacy of urban planning of the 50s and 60s. The challenge now is to build a parklands for the future,” said Landscape Architect and Director Western Sydney Parklands Trust, Ms Suellen Fitzgerald.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Where: Eschelon Room, Pullman Hotel, Sydney Olympic Park
When: Wednesday March 25
Time: 8.45am-2.00pm
What: Park Planners, Environmental Designers and Park Managers

MEDIA CONTACTS
AILA - Christina Bunbury - (02) 94274669
Sydney Olympic Park Authority - Phillip Adams - 0425 256831
Western Sydney Parklands Trust - Karen Moore - (02) 9895 7614