Architects vie for city council positions

Two architects have announced they will be running for council in the upcoming city council elections in Sydney and Melbourne.

William Chan is running for re-election to the City of Sydney Council. Chan, who has practised as both an architect and urban planner, was first elected to council in 2021.

If elected for a second term, a key agenda he will advocate for is "density done well." Chan emphasised that urban growth should be managed thoughtfully with high quality public amenity and infrastructure. "What makes a city fair and welcoming is well-designed public spaces where people feel they belong and can build community," he said.

He has also pledged to support strategies for well-designed affordable housing and a network of green public spaces throughout the city.

In Melbourne, Michael Smith, an architect and director at the architecture practice Andever, has announced he will seeking election to the City of Melbourne Council. As a first-time candidate, Smith aims to address what he perceives as a potential gap in city planning experience on council, due to the forthcoming departure of councillor and urban planner Rohan Leppert.

If elected to council, Smith mentioned a primary focus of his agenda would be to advocate for the transformation of Elizabeth Street into a green spine, a move he said would encourage pedestrians to spend more time on the street rather than just pass through. He also envisions a car-free strategy being applied to the street on weekends in summer, allowing only trams and pedestrians to access the area. Smith said this pedestrianisation of Elizabeth Street would create more opportunities for urban activity.

Furthermore, he would like to see any new towers in Melbourne featuring designs that are climate resilient and less reliant on energy.

Both Smith and Chan are independent candidates, with Chan on the ticket of current Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore.

The election for the City of Sydney Council will be held on 14 September 2024, while the election for the City of Melbourne Council will be held by postal vote in October 2024.