Rebecca Johnston and Lisa Blandford had the privilege of visiting San Clemente Catholic College to speak to Year 9 students about urban planning as a profession, sharing real-world insights and highlighting the many pathways into the industry.

The students are currently working on their Urban Renewal Geography assessment, Changing Places, which challenges them to reimagine the industrial area in Carrington as the next phase of urban renewal following the Honeysuckle project.  Rebecca and Lisa guided them through planning principles, real-world examples, and encouraged them to think creatively about how places can evolve for the future.

For Rebecca, a Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Member and Director at Barr Planning, the opportunity was particularly meaningful, having previously provided planning advice to San Clemente. This collaboration offered a chance to reconnect with the school community while helping students explore the role of planning in shaping better places.

The session highlighted the importance of introducing students to urban planning early, showcasing the diverse career opportunities available and inspiring the next generation of planners to consider how they might contribute to the future of their communities.

🌱 Here’s to inspiring future planners and continuing the conversation about how we can design better places for our communities.