The annual WA Young Planner of the Year is awarded to an early-career planner who innovates and advocates for high-quality planning outcomes.

City of Kalamunda CEO Rhonda Hardy said Stephanie’s award was well-deserved.

“Stephanie is a passionate, dedicated planner and is an asset to the team,” Ms Hardy said.

Stephanie has worked in the City’s planning team for the past three years and in 2017 won the PIA WA Award for Outstanding Student Project for her Master’s thesis on Planning Mechanisms used by Singapore to Promote Biodiversity and Skyrise Greenery and the Potential Application for Perth, WA.

This latest award recognises her passion for environmental and social planning, in particular integrating nature into urban design and supporting innovative housing types, like tiny houses on wheels.

“I enjoy planning because it is an industry that brings together so many different disciplines with the sole intention of creating beautiful, happy and healthy urban ecosystems,” Stephanie said.

“In the future I would like to see nature become an integral part of urban planning and architecture through biophilic design, and help change the rules around alternative housing types so we can support more creative and innovative homes.

“Not just because it is visually interesting but also because it is more inclusive and fosters strong social relationships which helps make communities more vibrant and resilient.”

More information about the City of Kalamunda’s planning team and current projects are available here.