Our Better Cities & Regions team embeds sustainability at the precinct, community and city scale, delivering solutions that support urban resilience and equitable development in a changing climate.
Better Cities & Regions
Our skills, experience, design-led approach and suite of frameworks and tools enables us to provide advice for sustainable precincts, climate strategy and plans, sustainable policy and planning and sustainability program development and evaluation.
Our experience working for and within Government and the private sector, along with drawing on the interdisciplinary expertise of HIP V. HYPE, ensures we are uniquely placed to help our clients and partners deliver on their sustainability ambitions.
Our team deeply understands the way we grow and evolve our cities and regions is crucial in delivering a positive future.
Working with local and state governments and a range of other clients and partners, we develop policies, frameworks, tools and guidelines to promote more sustainable development outcomes at all levels of decision making.
Evidence-based guidance is critical for making informed, strategic, long-term decisions informed by the best available science and best practice.
We provide a range of technical advice, including working collaboratively with local government and other clients on evolving sustainability policy through the planning scheme.
- Built environment tool and framework development
- Evidence bases for planning policy
- Assessment of ESD aspects of planning applications
- Technical and development feasibility assessment
- Asset / Portfolio policies and guidelines
Case studies:
Sustainable Subdivisions Framework
Green Factor Tool, Melbourne & Brisbane
Barriers & Solutions for Increased Tree Canopy in Greenfield Development
We work with state and local government, community, developers and other precinct scale stakeholders such as education institutions to develop contextually responsive and highly integrated sustainability solutions for urban renewal, suburban and regional development projects.
Working at scale, decisions are amplified in their impact, so robust decision making is critical to set up future business and residential communities for success. Our place-based approach to sustainability supports liveable, resilient, and connected communities.
Our precincts work can be delivered either as a standalone project or seamlessly integrated with other disciplines as part of broader precinct planning, design and delivery.
- Climate response planning
- Sustainability framework and strategy development
- Evidence base development for urban renewal and growth area planning
- Integrated precinct opportunities analysis and planning
- Climate adaptation plans
- Net zero strategy (including Climate Active precincts)
- Green Star Communities and One Planet certifications
Case studies:
Arden Precinct Climate Response Plan
Sunshine Priority Precinct Sustainability Opportunities Analysis
We work with local governments, community groups and organisations to co-create organisation-wide and whole-of-community responses to climate change.
Drawing on the latest evidence, we seek to deeply understand the local context and environment, the specific risks and opportunities posed by climate change to ensure that the response is aligned with organisational and community priorities.
Our Strategy work can also be integrated with other municipal strategy development including Community Plans and Health and Wellbeing plans.
- Climate emergency response strategy and planning
- Corporate and community zero carbon plans
- Climate risk assessment and adaptation response planning
- Sustainability strategy
- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Implementation assistance
Case studies:
Glen Eira City Council Climate Emergency Strategy
We work with clients to design, help implement, and evaluate sustainability and climate change programs within their own organisations, as well as programs targeting households, businesses and the broader community.
Drawing on our technical expertise, research, communication and facilitation skills along with our extensive networks of suppliers and delivery partners, we can provide end-to-end support for programs that capture attention, drive meaningful climate action and attract investment.
- Program design
- Program implementation advice and assistance
- Program evaluation
- Monitoring and evaluation planning
- Organisational climate response integration
Case Studies:
The Opportunity for Neighbourhood Batteries
Completed Projects

Tasmanian Government Hobart Medium Density Guidelines

Tasmanian Government Improving Residential Standards

University of Melbourne Dookie Campus Sustainability Strategy

Victorian Planning Authority Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct

Climate Risk Assessment, Inner West City Council

Unlocking Sustainable Strata, Yarra City Council & Merri-bek Council

Glen Eira City Council Caulfield Station Precinct Structure Plan

Green Factor Tool, Melbourne & Brisbane

Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust Environmental Sustainability Policy

Monitoring & Evaluation Framework, Canberra

Community Climate Action Roadmap, Alpine Shire

Climate Risk Assessment, Macedon Ranges

Sustainable & Climate Resilient Assets, City of Melbourne

Melton East Climate Resilience

Whitehorse Climate Response Strategy

In The Hanging Garden, nipaluna/Hobart

Review of Approaches to Reduce Community Carbon Emissions, Yarra City Council

Climate Emergency Strategy, Glen Eira City Council

Cool Changes Woodend Region, Macedon Ranges Shire Council

The Opportunity for Neighbourhood Batteries, City of Melbourne

Barriers & Solutions for Increased Tree Canopy in Greenfield Development, Victorian Planning Authority

Urban Cooling Economic Analysis, City of Kingston

Sustainable Subdivisions Framework, Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE)

Bayside Climate Emergency Action Plan

Sunshine Priority Precinct Sustainability Opportunities Analysis, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

Bass Climate Change Action Plan

Collaborative Resourcing Options for Regional Councils

East of Aberline Zero Net Opportunities, Warrnambool City Council

Mornington Peninsula Climate Emergency Plan

Northern & Western Geelong Growth Area Planning, City of Greater Geelong

Nightingale Village, Brunswick

Sustainable Building Policy & Implementation Framework, Warrnambool City Council

Arden Precinct Climate Response Plan, Victorian Planning Authority (VPA)

Byron Arts & Industry Precinct Plan, Byron Shire Council

Malmsbury Community Climate Change Action Plan, Macedon Ranges Shire Council

Lismore CBD Study, Lismore City Council

Act and Adapt: Sustainable Environment Strategy 2018-28, City of Port Phillip

Best Practice Sustainability Solutions for Fishermans Bend, City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne

Marrick & Co One Planet Community, Mirvac
