Creating Better Cities through Placemaking

Australia’s leading gathering for placemakers and urban transformation leaders.

Bringing together government, developers, architects and community shapers to build better places.

13–14 May 2026 • Sydney Masonic Centre, Sydney, NSW

Australian Placemaking Summit 2026

Expotrade Australia is thrilled to be bringing the Australian Placemaking Summit to Sydney on the 13 & 14 May 2026 at the Sydney Masonic Centre.

Building on its outstanding success since first launching in 2022, the Australian Placemaking Summit has established itself as the premier forum for placemakers across the Southern Hemisphere.

The summit comes to Sydney in 2026 to provide a high-level forum for discussion and debate around the crucial role of placemaking in creating better places and shaping the future of cities and towns across Australia.

Across the 2 days, attendees can expect to hear from leading industry experts through keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. The summit will showcase innovative placemaking projects, providing practical insights, equipping you with the essential blend of people-focused practices and commercial insights necessary for successful placemaking initiatives.

Join us at this exciting event to learn from and collaborate with leading experts in the fields of urban development and placemaking.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Annie Tennant

Director, Design and Place Placemaking NSW

Philip Vivian

Managing Director BATESSMART

Dean Cracknell

Co-Founder, Town Team Movement Creator, Placemaking Education

Katrina Sedgwick OAM

CEO & Director Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation

Sara Kelly

Senior Strategic Planner City of Newcastle

Codee Ludbey

Managing Director and Co-Founder CORE42

Mike Horne

Founder and Director Turf Design Studio

Cat Burgess

Head Frost*Place

Tom Oliver Payne

Partner & Place Strategy Director Hoyne

Andrew Coward

Co-Founder/ Director - Reactivate Consulting Chair - ULI Australia Sydney District Council

Dr Sarah Barns

Co-Founder Studio ESEM

Dr Michael Cohen

Director City People

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What’s in Focus for 2026

Explore the leading placemaking strategies shaping Australia’s cities and communities at the 2026 Summit.

Sydney 2070: Towards a Greener, Better, Urban Future

Creating better places with local communities .

Community-led Placemaking in Transport and Commercial Precincts: Exploring the Sydney Metro Martin Place Precinct

The city as a story you walk through: Rethinking how we design identity in places

Creating People-Centred Places in the AI Age

Broadmeadow Place Strategy

Your Placemaking Advantage

The Australian Placemaking Summit 2026 connects leaders who are redefining how people experience cities, offering real-world strategies, inspiration, and relationships that spark better places.

Connect with Industry Leaders
Build relationships with experts driving Australia’s urban transformation.

Discover Emerging Trends
See what’s next in placemaking, design, and community-focused innovation.

Explore New Approaches
Gain inspiration from successful precinct and public space transformations.

Gain Actionable Insights
Learn from innovators and thought leaders shaping the future of Australian cities.

A Community of City Shapers

The Australian Placemaking Summit gathers the people and organisations leading Australia’s urban transformation, bringing together over 150 professionals shaping vibrant, sustainable and inclusive places.

Government & Councils
Policy-makers, planners and decision-makers driving change in local communities.

Architects & Landscape Architects
Designers who shape the identity, experience and character of place.

Developers & Contractors
Delivering destinations and precincts where communities can thrive.

Placemakers & Urban Designers
Innovators transforming underused spaces into loved places.

Engineers & Infrastructure Leaders
Building the frameworks that support strong, sustainable cities.

Facility & Asset Managers
Ensuring the long-term success, activation and safety of public places.

Summit at a Glance

The Australian Placemaking Summit 2026 brings together leaders shaping the future of Australia’s urban environments, a dynamic platform to learn from innovators, share success stories, and build powerful new connections.

150+ Attendees
A growing national community of placemakers and city-shapers.

30+ Expert Speakers
Leaders in design, development, and community-focused innovation.

7+ Hours of Networking
Dedicated time for collaboration, partnerships, and new opportunities.

75% Decision-Makers
Engage directly with those shaping policy, planning, and investment.

100+ Councils & Organisations
Representation across major cities, regions, and precincts.

What Our Attendees Say

Hear from placemaking leaders who have joined us — sharing their experience of learning, inspiration and collaboration at the Australian Placemaking Summit.

Sophie Pickett-Heaps, Head of Design and Placemaking, Stockland
“Fantastic event you must be very pleased with the outcome. I was very impressed with the range of discussions and content.”

Arturo Ruiz, Head of Placemaking, City of Boroondara
“Thanks for the opportunity to present at the Summit last week. I thought it was a great cross section of experiences and disciplines.”