As Australia’s housing crisis deepens, higher-density living will be a crucial part of any effective solution. Building upwards rather than outwards can be more economically and socially beneficial: it makes use of existing services and infrastructure, and helps people live closer to jobs, schools and loved ones.

Hear more about the merits and pitfalls of increasing density in urban areas, often characterised as the ‘Yes-In-My-Backyard’ (YIMBY) or ‘Not-In-My-Backyard’ (NIMBY) movements. Through the lenses of planning, design and community care, this discussion asks: how do we respect memories of place while also responding to the need for centrally-located, high-density housing?

Collaborators:

Nightingale Housing is a not-for-profit organisation building apartments that are socially, financially and environmentally sustainable. Homes should be built for people, not profit. With 411 homes delivered since 2016, and over 500 more in the pipeline, Nightingale’s approach responds to a growing demand for apartments built for residents, not investors—well-situated homes that nurture social connection and offer a desirable, affordable alternative to freestanding houses. Through sustainable architectural design, Nightingale apartments encourage residents to put down roots, create community, and age in place.

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Nemesia Kennett is Nightingale Housing’s Executive Head of Development, Nemesia Kennett creates industry partnerships, leads new acquisitions and promotes housing advocacy. Nemesia’s track record in the property and construction industry has seen her conceive and deliver a diverse portfolio of developments spanning across residential, social infrastructure and mixed-use assets. Urban regeneration, considered infill development and connected communities are Nemesia’s key professional focus areas.

Dr James Lesh is a historian, heritage specialist and academic looking to strengthen cities, places and communities through history and heritage. His portfolio of projects is highly innovative, deeply-researched and focused on outcomes. His experience spans commercial, government, not-for-profit and university sectors. His most recent book is Values in Cities: Urban Heritage in Twentieth-Century Australia (2022) and he published public commentary and industry analysison his blog heritage.city.

Dan McKenna was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer in 2022. With experience at Nightingale Housing in various roles and a proven track record in developing a strong team culture, the position now allows him to steer the direction of Nightingale’s future whilst also providing an opportunity for a generational leadership change, to build on the learnings of the past seven years, and to consolidate gains as the organisation plans a large slate of new developments across the country. Dan previously worked at Breathe Architecture, and was a member of the design team on the first Nightingale project, Nightingale 1. He has a detailed understanding of the architectural aspects that are so broadly associated with Nightingale, as well as the social, financial and managerial aspects. Dan lives with his family in a Nightingale home.

Colleen Peterson is the CEO of Ratio. She regularly appears as an expert witness for VCAT and panel hearings and is an active participant in the professional development of the industry, its representative organisations, and tertiary education in Victoria.
Colleen has been a leading force in the planning industry’s opposition to the extensive rollout of the Neighbourhood Residential Zone and regularly appears in the media to speak about this and other planning related issues. In addition to her planning expertise and passion for the built environment, she specialises in social and economic impact assessments.

Gerhana Waty, a Melbourne local, has embraced a car-free lifestyle for two decades. Her sustainable ethos intertwines seamlessly with her car-free lifestyle as she advocates for equitable urban mobility. As a new mother, she leverages her urban design expertise to champion the Streets for People initiative. As a firm advocate for walking as a fundamental human right, she bridges theoretical concepts and practical applications, shaping the future of urban landscape. Gerhana also leads strategic initiatives for both governmental and non-governmental sectors, cultivating a culture of non-motorized mobility and equitable urban environments. Her work, centred on public spaces and human interaction, has gained international recognition, notably through the Darebin Streets for People Feasibility Study. A dedicated contributor to the Urban Design Forum and a mentor in academia, Gerhana instils the principles of inclusive design among emerging professionals.