NZILA Firth Conference 2023: Speaker Rob Adams — LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AOTEAROA

Renowned architect and urban designer Rob Adams has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the 2023 NZILA Firth Conference in Nelson in May.

Rob is best known for his work in Melbourne, where he played a key role in transforming the city into a world-leading example of best practice in urban design.

He was instrumental in writing and implementing the first comprehensive urban design strategy for central Melbourne. It aimed to create a vibrant and well-populated central city, profiting from the city’s multi-mode transport system.

Rob went on to guide its implementation on major projects such as Postcode 3000, Swanston Street redesign, QV Development, City Square, Birrarung Marr, Urban Forest Strategy, Sandridge Bridge, Queensbridge Precinct, Turning Basin, East Melbourne Library, Library at the Dock, and City of Melbourne’s CH2 Building (the first commercial building in Australia to achieve a Six Green Star environmental rating).

The strategy also produced smaller details such as enlivening laneways for retail and hospitality uses and installing new lighting, street furniture, tree planting and bluestone paving.

The City of Melbourne as seen from Albert Park. Image credit - Charlie Watson-Jones.

Speaking to LAA, Rob remembered the beginning of the enormous project back in the 80s.

“I came on board in 1983 and there were five of us who were asked, alongside the internal team, to write the strategy for the city going forward. There had been a new council recently elected and the councillors were really were worried about the direction it was taking.”

“We looked very closely at Melbourne's characteristics and, you know, the built form is quite distinctive, very big blocks that had been subdivided and you had lanes and arcade. So we said, Look, that's your pedestrian system, so let's make those lanes and arcades better places. The central city was dominated by cars and we said we need to start getting the car out. But you couldn't be as obvious as that. You really had to say, well, you know, what we'll do is we'll start favouring pedestrians and public transport and cyclists.”

The comprehensive revitalisation programme has seen Melbourne repeatedly recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities and recognition of Rob’s contribution and expertise led to his appointment to the Urbanisation Council of the World Economic Forum.

Adams is also a strong advocate for medium-density development along major transport corridors, which he sees as a way to accommodate population growth while curbing urban sprawl. He has been involved in discussions on how to effectively manage population growth in Melbourne, and will bring his expertise and insights to the NZILA Firth Conference.

Rob says his conference presentation in May will look at regaining trust in the planning process, and the importance of in-house teams. “We have over the years shown that if we say we're going to do it, we'll do it and we keep to our word on it. The other great thing that I think is we had an in-house team. We've got the expertise in-house, and we've got the corporate knowledge that can help you through the system. A number of those public private partnerships have actually produced real benefits for public. So having that in-house team really gave us the firepower to make these things happen.”

He urges governments to stop contracting out their intellect. “An in-house team can carry these sorts of strategies. You don't get consistency from consultants. They'll tell you what you want to hear and they won't necessarily understand the longer knowledge of the place.”

He also plans to focus on the idea of incremental change when it comes to changing cities. “You do not have to have big budgets and grand projects. You can just slowly plant trees, widen footpaths and improve cities. And we need to engage communities to understand that.”

“I'm a grandfather now and at 75 could most probably think I don't have to worry, but I've got grandchildren and I really do worry about the future we're building for them,” he says.

“We can change our cities and this is not as hard as it is made out to be, but we need to start doing it now if we are meet the significant challenges our cities face.”

Rob Adams will be speaking at the 2023 NZILA Firth Conference in Nelson on May 18-19. The theme is Growing Pains and the early bird registration is open now until February 28. You can find more details here.