Member Profile Series
#1 - Jaime Parsons
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October 2020
Since joining EAROPH Australia, Jaime has become an active member of the national Executive Committee and recently presented at the 27th EAROPH World Congress, held virtually. Jaime draws on vast national and international experience in his urban thinking and practice. We are thrilled to have Jaime kick off the first in our EAROPH Australia Member Profile Series, in which we get the thoughts of our talented members on their professional, personal, and EAROPH journeys, and the benefits of EAROPH membership. |
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Tell us where you are currently based and what you are up to.
Since mid-March this year my family and I have been living in Launceston, Tasmania. We moved from Brisbane as a result of being offered the newly created role of Team Leader of Place Making at City of Launceston. Part of the reason for accepting the role is that it brings together, in a single team, urban design, heritage, urban realm activation and cultural development. All very distinct but all contributing to creating great places. Launceston is at an important crossroads for its future. It has benefited in the last 3 years from a so-called ‘city deal’, that aligns the projects and funding from the local government, state and Commonwealth.
Where have you worked elsewhere in Australia and internationally?
I have had the fortune of having lived in six different countries and in many more cities. In terms of places where I have worked they are: Spain, Australia and the Solomon Islands. Over the last ten years I have mostly worked in Australia as an urban designer, both for public entities or private consultancies. Principally I have worked at various Melbourne local governments, with my previous job being with Brisbane City Council in Brisbane, Queensland.
What’s your story of joining EAROPH?
After returning from working in the Solomon Islands, as a Planning and Urban Design Adviser, I presented at the 2017 New Urban Agenda Conference in Melbourne. Initially one of my work colleagues from the Solomon Islands was going to present but, due to him being unavailable, I took his place. This fortuitous fact led to a chance encounter with EAROPH Australia’s President, Jane Stanley, whom also was presenting at the Conference. Her engaging presentation and the attractiveness of being part of a truly internationally focused built environment organisation like EAROPH were reasons enough for me to join. Three years later I am not only a member but part of the Executive Committee and the Co-Secretary for EAROPH Australia.
How have you benefited from EAROPH membership?
The benefits have been multiple. Firstly, I have gained a great deal of understanding on international cooperation and intergovernmental bodies and agencies, in particular those associated with the UN (a unique world in itself). It has given me the chance to travel within Australia (for example, Newcastle) and, potentially, abroad in fulfillment of the role as an Executive Member of EAROPH’s Australian Chapter. Furthermore I have undoubtedly learnt a lot about how to run a professional volunteer organisation, in particular since becoming Co-Secretary. These skills are transferable to many other future endeavours. Most importantly it has been a great opportunity to meet and work with like-minded people whom recognise the importance of shaping more sustainable human settlements for all.
Why should someone join EAROPH?
If you want to have the opportunity to have your voice heard on seeking a more sustainable future of our cities and towns, in Australia and in other parts of East Asia and the Pacific, then you should join EAROPH. EAROPH Australia presents a great chance for those with the willingness to invest their passion and time to deliver on positive change. And, on the side, it is a potential opportunity to make some friends along the way that also share your passion for great towns and cities.
What advice would you give to aspiring or upcoming professionals in an urban-related field, whether it be planning, design, or otherwise?
I always find it hard to provide advice without knowing the recipient and the context. But, if I must, I would suggest that to be a good and effective built environment professional you need to travel and live in as many places as you can, to gain a wider and deeper understanding of what human settlements have in common and what makes them unique. The other suggestion that I would make is to constantly learn, keep up to date with the latest research, designs, projects, and strategies from here and elsewhere. Finally, it is important to realise that likely the most important skills you will need to be effective are being an effective team player and a great communicator. Cities are far too complex and influenced by far too many forces for a single professional group, let alone a person, to achieve positive change alone.
When you’re not working for better cities, how do you like to spend time?
For those that are still reading, and as you can probably surmise from my previous answers, I love travelling (an activity quite constrained in our COVID-19 world) and reading novels and books on urbanism. Other hobbies for me are a bit of computer gaming, not that I have much time left these days for it, and going to the movies (unfortunately another COVID-19 restricted activity).
Is there anything else you would like to tell our current and prospective members?
EAROPH is not your usual professional organisation. It is not about ‘hanging out’ with fellow professionals you likely already know, it is about actively contributing towards a more sustainable urban future. This is because as a member you can quickly build valuable networks across Asia and the Pacific, be an important part of the decision making and doing, and influence the organisation’s future direction.
Since mid-March this year my family and I have been living in Launceston, Tasmania. We moved from Brisbane as a result of being offered the newly created role of Team Leader of Place Making at City of Launceston. Part of the reason for accepting the role is that it brings together, in a single team, urban design, heritage, urban realm activation and cultural development. All very distinct but all contributing to creating great places. Launceston is at an important crossroads for its future. It has benefited in the last 3 years from a so-called ‘city deal’, that aligns the projects and funding from the local government, state and Commonwealth.
Where have you worked elsewhere in Australia and internationally?
I have had the fortune of having lived in six different countries and in many more cities. In terms of places where I have worked they are: Spain, Australia and the Solomon Islands. Over the last ten years I have mostly worked in Australia as an urban designer, both for public entities or private consultancies. Principally I have worked at various Melbourne local governments, with my previous job being with Brisbane City Council in Brisbane, Queensland.
What’s your story of joining EAROPH?
After returning from working in the Solomon Islands, as a Planning and Urban Design Adviser, I presented at the 2017 New Urban Agenda Conference in Melbourne. Initially one of my work colleagues from the Solomon Islands was going to present but, due to him being unavailable, I took his place. This fortuitous fact led to a chance encounter with EAROPH Australia’s President, Jane Stanley, whom also was presenting at the Conference. Her engaging presentation and the attractiveness of being part of a truly internationally focused built environment organisation like EAROPH were reasons enough for me to join. Three years later I am not only a member but part of the Executive Committee and the Co-Secretary for EAROPH Australia.
How have you benefited from EAROPH membership?
The benefits have been multiple. Firstly, I have gained a great deal of understanding on international cooperation and intergovernmental bodies and agencies, in particular those associated with the UN (a unique world in itself). It has given me the chance to travel within Australia (for example, Newcastle) and, potentially, abroad in fulfillment of the role as an Executive Member of EAROPH’s Australian Chapter. Furthermore I have undoubtedly learnt a lot about how to run a professional volunteer organisation, in particular since becoming Co-Secretary. These skills are transferable to many other future endeavours. Most importantly it has been a great opportunity to meet and work with like-minded people whom recognise the importance of shaping more sustainable human settlements for all.
Why should someone join EAROPH?
If you want to have the opportunity to have your voice heard on seeking a more sustainable future of our cities and towns, in Australia and in other parts of East Asia and the Pacific, then you should join EAROPH. EAROPH Australia presents a great chance for those with the willingness to invest their passion and time to deliver on positive change. And, on the side, it is a potential opportunity to make some friends along the way that also share your passion for great towns and cities.
What advice would you give to aspiring or upcoming professionals in an urban-related field, whether it be planning, design, or otherwise?
I always find it hard to provide advice without knowing the recipient and the context. But, if I must, I would suggest that to be a good and effective built environment professional you need to travel and live in as many places as you can, to gain a wider and deeper understanding of what human settlements have in common and what makes them unique. The other suggestion that I would make is to constantly learn, keep up to date with the latest research, designs, projects, and strategies from here and elsewhere. Finally, it is important to realise that likely the most important skills you will need to be effective are being an effective team player and a great communicator. Cities are far too complex and influenced by far too many forces for a single professional group, let alone a person, to achieve positive change alone.
When you’re not working for better cities, how do you like to spend time?
For those that are still reading, and as you can probably surmise from my previous answers, I love travelling (an activity quite constrained in our COVID-19 world) and reading novels and books on urbanism. Other hobbies for me are a bit of computer gaming, not that I have much time left these days for it, and going to the movies (unfortunately another COVID-19 restricted activity).
Is there anything else you would like to tell our current and prospective members?
EAROPH is not your usual professional organisation. It is not about ‘hanging out’ with fellow professionals you likely already know, it is about actively contributing towards a more sustainable urban future. This is because as a member you can quickly build valuable networks across Asia and the Pacific, be an important part of the decision making and doing, and influence the organisation’s future direction.
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EAROPH Australia is the Australian Chapter of the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlements
EAROPH Australia is the Australian Chapter of the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlements
