Hames Sharley’s Director and National Portfolio Leader of Urban Development, Michelle Cramer presented at the 2013 UDIA National Congress held last week at the Crown Towers in Melbourne.

Speaking to a crowd of approximately 400 people, Michelle shared her vision of future planning and design for Australia and that to avoid falling into the trap of “Australian sameness” we need to think smart first rather than big.

Michelle is currently applying principles to her topic matter to Australia’s first smart community which is currently underway in Ripley Valley, Queensland. “Ecco Ripley” is master planned by Hames Sharley with Michelle as the Project Director on behalf of the developers, Sekisui House Australia (SHA). The Ripley Valley project will ultimately be home to 120,000 people and potentially create 270,000 new jobs upon completion.

The concept behind the design is about creating ‘future memories’ which reinforces SHA’s commitment to the development and its residents by considering how each stage of the development can be a real and authentic component towards the final built form.

The 2013 UDIA National Congress encompassed the theme “Population: Vision for a Nation” where it examined the growing and changing nature of the population and its effects on all facets of the industry from infrastructure and services to housing affordability and demand.

Over 600 delegates from around Australia attended the four-day congress. Other notable speakers included the Hon Kevin Rudd MP and CEO of Grocon, Daniel Grollo.

For more information on the subject matter, please contact Michelle Cramer at [email protected].