Since 1996, the Australian Urban Design Awards have showcased successful efforts in building and sustaining Australia’s urban communities.
The awards celebrate the very best of urban design contributions and successful and promising innovations that will improve the performance of our cities and the quality of life of our communities.
The awards are intended to help forge a network of exceptional urban thinkers and activists in urban design and city building. The awards create an opportunity for nationwide sharing of what constitutes
good urban design and provide insights into intelligent innovations in urban design occurring across the country.
The Australian Urban Design Awards are co-convened by the Planning Institute of Australia, the Australian Institute of Architects and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
The intent and scope of the Australian Urban Design Awards is wide-ranging and attracts entries for initiatives, built projects and publications that will make a significant difference to the places, spaces, buildings and infrastructure of our cities and towns.
The Australian Urban Design Awards represent a distinctive opportunity that unites the expertise of three prominent Institutes in the built environment, fostering a unique partnership for the program.
The 2025 Awards program attracted just under one hundred entrants between four newly re- invigorated categories: Built Outcomes, Research & Advocacy, Strategic Design & Policy and Urban Design Champions which recognises individuals.
“Urban transformation is a hot topic across Australia, driven by our national housing crisis and associated planning reforms. As the Steering Committee for the Australian Urban Design Awards, we believe strategic urban design is crucial for not only delivering more homes, but also creating liveable neighbourhoods, while addressing climate and biodiversity crises.
This year, we’ve returned to the Awards’ foundational purpose: promoting the value of urban design to not just to professionals, but also decision-makers and the community. We’ve introduced four categories to celebrate diverse projects and people involved in urban transformation: built outcomes, strategic design and policy, research and advocacy, and urban design champions. Our juries now include journalists and politicians to broaden perspectives and share the value of urban design.
This year’s award winners, covering precinct transformation, guidelines for healthy high-density living for families, and transport policy, showcase the impactful role of strategic urban design in consciously improving the quality of our cities and regions.” said Katherine Sundermann, Chair of the Steering Committee for the Australian Urban Design Awards.
Thank you to the dedicated juries who committed their time and expertise to the process.
THE BUILT OUTCOMES JURY
- Malcolm Snow (Chair)
- Andy Fergus | Director, Andy Fergus Design Strategy
- Nicole Kalms | Associate Dean (Research), Monash University
- Annelise Safstrom | Urban Design Consultant
- Jemima Williamson-Wong | Councillor, City of Fremantle
THE STRATEGIC DESIGN & POLICY AND RESEARCH & ADVOCACY JURY
- Sarah Meyer (Chair) | Studio Director, Snohetta
- Nicole Allen | Urban Designer, Arup
- Megan Gorrey | Journalist, Sydney Morning Herald
- Kate Luckraft | Director, Fluminis
- Brad Pettitt | Member for South Metropolitan Region (WA)
THE URBAN DESIGN CHAMPIONS JURY
- Dan Hill (Chair) | Director, Melbourne School of Design
- Geoffrey London | Emeritus Professor of Architecture, University of Western Australia
- Jess Scully | Author
- Rob Stokes | Industry Professor, Macquarie University
- Bree Trevena | Australasia Foresight Leader, Arup
The Awards will be announced on Wednesday 30 April at the Gehry Building – UTS in Sydney. The program convenors thank Principal Partner, Bondor Metecno, and supporting Partner Dulux for making this event possible.
The winners are (further project information, commendations and jury citations available on subsequent page of this media release):
built outcomes
Winner
Central Park Public Domain | Turf Design Studio with Jeppe Aagaard Andersen
Winner
Mary’s Place, Dalby | Blight Rayner Architecture in association with Wild Studio
Winner
Rozelle Parklands | Transport for NSW Urban Design
RESEARCH & ADVOCACY
Winner
Healthy Higher Density Living for Families with Children: An Advocacy, Planning and Design Guide | Centre for Population Health, Western Sydney Local Health District
STRATEGIC DESIGN & POLICY
Winner
Beyond A to B | Transport for NSW
Winner
Cockatoo Island Waremah Masterplan | Tyrrell Studio in collaboration with Mott McDonald, Klok Advisory, Bangawarra, Left Bank and The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
Winner
Martin Place Metro Precinct Urban Design Framework | Tzannes
URBAN DESIGN CHAMPIONS
Winner
Chris Thomas
Winner
Jeremy McLeod
For full media release with jury citations, visit here.
