Nivedita
Senior Urban Designer
Niche Planning Studio
What’s your current job?
Senior Urban Designer
What do you love the most about your job?
Being able to consistently advocate for better-than-the-norm design outcomes with our clients to provide the best possible quality of life for future residents and users.
Why did you choose a career in planning?
More specifically, I chose a career in urban design because of the multi-scalar impact it has on several aspects of the human experience – ranging from where we live, how we experience public spaces, the opportunities to interact with other people, the affordances that are created through conscious design and planning, among others.
What are some of the most interesting projects that you’ve worked on?
Some of my favourite projects include the Moe Activity Centre Plan Urban Design and Built Form analysis, where we are studying and recommending changes to public realm design to improve the local experience in the regions. Some other projects include innovative residential estate masterplans where we have advocated for and achieved amenity-based design elements like green links, prioritized pedestrian pathways, a celebration of natural assets and careful consideration of surrounding interfaces. Its always a pleasant outcome when you are able to work in tandem with Council to achieve a good outcome together as a team. I also enjoy the strategic advocacy parts of my role, where I interact with key government and industry stakeholders to further my clients’ ambitious visions. Among the many benefits of this role, knowing the right people and consultants to contact at opportune moments is a valuable skillset that I enjoy honing.
Why should someone choose a career in planning?
It is undeniably one of the most impactful careers one can choose – this is utterly evident in the current environmental, economic, social and political climate we live in. Planners are often at the forefront of policy decisions and laws that affect the lives of millions. Often the most accessible agents of change, planners hold significant responsibility for bettering the lives of us all.
What three words would you use to describe planning?
Important, interesting, misunderstood.
Planning is the process through which people, businesses and government come together to protect, grow and shape their cities, towns and regions. Cities and neighbourhoods are constantly changing and evolving. Planning is how we guide this change to create great communities and places in which we can live, work and play.
