Designing Better Cities: Urban Design at DesignInc Sydney Enters a New Chapter

Culture / Studio News / Media 1 July 2025 Share

DesignInc Sydney is sharpening its focus on city-shaping Urban Design—one that prioritises sustainability, people, and place.

DesignInc Sydney is sharpening its focus on city-shaping Urban Design—one that prioritises sustainability, people, and place. With the arrival of accomplished practitioner Ben Norris (Associate), the newly strengthened Urban Design team is poised to take on more strategic, aspirational work that directly contributes to the liveability and resilience of our cities.

The move reflects a deliberate evolution for the studio discipline. Building on a strong foundation of major transport and infrastructure projects, which includes Western Harbour Tunnel, Southwest Metro and an assortment of newly upgraded train stations, the team is now set to lead broader urban transformation—integrating design excellence with environmental, economic and social outcomes that serve generations to come.

Ben brings more than a decade of experience in strategic urban design, masterplanning and public realm strategy, both locally and abroad. Under Urban Design Principal and Sydney Research Lead, Dr. Michael Kahn, his addition signals a new era of design leadership which works in close collaboration with DesignInc’s and Nguluway DesignInc’s Architecture, Landscape, and Interiors teams.

Ben’s knowledge of, and dedication to, the Urban Design craft is a perfect complement to the team’s structure and expertise says Michael Kahn.

‘The team’s growth in 2025 is a testament to the ongoing quality of work and commitment to project delivery established through past projects,’ said Michael. ‘Ben’s experience in delivering strategy, masterplanning, and public realm design, at a range of scales, will expand our team’s expertise and reflect in broadened service offerings.

‘Through ongoing close collaboration with our other disciplines, the Urban Design team looks forward to delivering quality outcomes for our clients that benefit the public through thoughtful design at all scales.’

Ben echoes this commitment to the long-term public good, noting that city-shaping design offers a powerful platform for sustainable change.

‘I’m inspired by Urban Design’s ability to enable lasting, positive change in our urban environments. There’s a unique opportunity in all projects to unlock value and embed healthyoutcomes in the design of our streets, public spaces and urban form—environmentally, socially and economically—and it’s this opportunity that drives me,’ said Ben.

‘One of the things that excites me most about joining DesignInc Sydney is the opportunity to champion Designing from Country in close partnership with Nguluway DesignInc. Through a Caring for Country lens, liveability in all cities—not just Sydney—can be greatly improved by instilling a reciprocal relationship between people and their environment.’

Committed to shaping better cities, the team continues to build on a legacy of delivery across complex public infrastructure while expanding its influence on the broader fabric of urban life. Whether designing for movement, gathering, housing, or heritage, the team applies a values-based, systems-thinking approach to elevate every project.