What Makes a Good Neighbourhood in a Growth Area

As our cities expand, new suburbs are being designed at an unprecedented pace. But what transforms a new suburb from a collection of houses into a place with identity, character and a strong sense of belonging? There is a clear understanding of what good suburban design looks like — walkable streets, memorable public spaces, diverse built form, and a strong connection to landscape and culture. Yet too often, the built outcomes fall short of this vision, resulting in places that feel repetitive, disconnected, and lacking in identity and community connection. The real challenge isn’t defining great design — it’s making it happen. This session, hosted by the Design Excellence Network (DEN) for local government in collaboration with City of Greater Geelong, will explore how we can bridge this gap to deliver high-quality suburban design and test practical, place-based approaches to creating suburbs that are distinctive, engaging, and built for real communities.