The 9th International Urban Design Conference is fast approaching! The conference will be held at the Hyatt, Canberra from 7-9 November 2016, with Wednesday 9th being optional walking tours.
There are 2 walking tours to choose from and they are $70.00 per tour. Bookings are essential!
Tour 1: The Designed Capital – An introduction to Canberra and Architect John Smith Murdoch
- Hosted By: GML Heritage
- Departs: 9:00 am from Hyatt Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra
- Returns: 12:30 pm to Hyatt Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra
- Duration: 2 hours walking
Tour Description:
Canberra is one of the few cities in the world to be designed and built specifically for use as a national political capital. GML Heritage will guide a walking tour through architectural landmarks in the designed landscape, to learn about the work of John Smith Murdoch and his contribution to the early vision for Canberra’s planning. Murdoch was Chief Architect for the Commonwealth of Australia from 1919; he was responsible for designing many government buildings, most notably the Provisional (old) Parliament House in Canberra, the home of the Parliament of Australia from 1927 to 1988.
This tour will commence at Old Parliament House, and conclude at the historic Hyatt Hotel Canberra—both these buildings were designed by John Smith Murdoch. The tour will also cover Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin’s contribution to the design of the national capital, which is integral to Canberra’s planning from 1911 on, and the National Capital Development Commission’s planning of central Canberra from the 1950s.
Tour 2: NCA’s Walking Study Tour
- Hosted By: National Capital Authority
- Departs: Bus leaves at 9:00 am from Hyatt Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra. Delegates to arrive at Constitution Ave for tour to commence
- Returns: Bus leaves at 1pm from New Acton, Marcus Clarke St, Canberra, returning Delegates to the Hyatt Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra
- Duration: 4 Hours
Tour Description:
Commencing at the eastern end of Constitution Avenue the tour will begin by discussing the Design of Constitution Avenue and the Urban Design implications of security overlay’s in cities – the site is opposite the recently completed ASIO headquarters. The tour will then move on to Section 5 Campbell, a mixed-use development comprising 5 sites. Crossing ANZAC Parade delegates will be presented with an overview of the design and planning controls for the proposed redevelopment of Anzac Park East and West. These are known as the portal buildings and have for the past 50 years framed the Anzac Parade and the Australian War Memorial.
Next delegates will explore Alara Street to understand the different design approaches that have been applied to across the length of the Avenue. At the National Capital Exhibition building, delegates will be able review the exhibition and receive a presentation on the NCA’s Master Plan for the Canberra Central Parklands, followed by an overview of a scope of works for the Stage 1 implementation of the Parkland Project.
The tour then moves on and to a briefing from the ACT Government on their Point Park and City to Lake Project at the Westside Container Village. This is a temporary structure, a ‘pop up’ constructed by the ACT with the goal of invigorating the West basin precinct. The final stop on the tour will be the New Acton precinct. This project is very well known and is considered a national exemplar in city making, winning numerous national and international design awards.
We hope to see you at the 9th International Urban Design Conference this November, if you would like to register for this fantastic event please visit our website.
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