Emerge Associates conducted an internal ‘MASH’ session in July 2015 and were lucky enough to arrange for Debra Goostrey, CEO from UDIA WA, and Julian Wright from the Housing Authority, to come in and speak to use regarding spatial and land use planning in Perth.

This was timely given the debate raging regarding density/infill versus urban sprawl and the future growth of the Perth metropolitan area and the release of the State Government’s Perth and Peel @ 3.5  report.

Debra and Julian provided some well researched perspectives around the discussion.  A number of the Emerge Associates team are part of UDIA Committees, and the Housing Authority is a major client (of both environment and landscape) through various large projects both in infill and growth area projects, so both are close partner entities of Emerge Associates.

As is with any public debate it is easy to philosophically fall to a side, as professionals it is important that we understand the key drivers and nuances with various urban planning responses, and the good, the bad and the ugly of various approaches.  The broader topic is a very important discussion as we work in it every day of the year while working on some of the largest urban growth areas (in the major growth corridors in Wanneroo, Armadale, Swan, Serpentine-Jarrahdale etc.) and also on some of Perth’s largest and most significant infill projects (i.e. Claremont, Murdoch, Belmont Park etc.).

What is a Mash Session??            

“Mash” started in the early days of Emerge as Friday afternoon events to focus on topics of relevance to both our Environment and Landscape teams and to ideally bring our disciplines and teams together. 

Emerge now have four Mash sessions annually and invite speakers internally and externally to present, workshop and discuss relevant topics that will add value throughout multiple teams within Emerge. 

Mash sessions are intended to be team building, technically informative, professionally relevant, but also generally light and fun given they are on a Friday afternoon.