Latest Events: PIA Congress Takeaways

The congress provided insightful keynote speakers and presentations covering a range of topics and challenges that our cities and regions face. These focused on the constant pressures of climate change, population growth, sustainability and housing demand. 

 Day one included a walking tour around the Gold Coast CBD, focusing on the changes that have been driven by the light rail construction, including:

• Laneways
• Improved streetscape activations
• Co-working spaces
• Music venues
• New infill housing projects.

Pictured dwellings are some examples that have been constructed as part of the new infill housing projects. This development seeks to provide 'mirco' living, with freehold lot sizes as small as 41m^2, aimed at first home buyers. 

Architect, Amy Degenhart, presented the following day and discussed how housing choice has evolved over time. Amy acknowledged the location of development sites is a key factor for success of mirco living, ensuring the area is well serviced by public transport and amenity for dwellings which push the envelope in terms of smaller lot size and building footprint.

The final day wrapped up with thought-provoking discussions regarding future policy changes and design outcomes which aim to create safer, sustainable, more affordable and well connected cities and regional centres. Our planners left feeling inspired that the industry continues to promote new ideas and products for our cities and regional areas.

WCG teams attend numerous industry events throughout the year to ensure we maximise our multi-disciplinary expertise, and network with experts at a local, national and international levels. This positions us to provide our clients with the most relevant and up to date advice possible.