I copy below a recent press release from the City & County of Swansea.
Michael.
An Australian design expert is among the specialists who’ll be helping transform Swansea city centre into a thriving hub of commerce, culture and leisure.
Professor Ken Maher, a Sydney-based architect, has been appointed to a new body called the Swansea Development Advisory Group.
The Group will review how the city centre should best be improved before embarking on a seven-year programme of regeneration.
Professor Maher has worked extensively in urban design across Australia and China. He’s also the current chair of the City of Sydney’s Design Advisory Panel and a member of the Sydney Opera House Eminent Architects Panel.
The Australian was approached to join the newly formed Group when he recently visited Swansea to speak at a conference the Design Commission for Wales organised in partnership with Swansea Council.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, will chair the Group.
He said: “The regeneration of Swansea city centre is one of our key priorities. A thriving city centre isn’t just important for Swansea, it’s vital for the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole. We’re currently reviewing how we should best develop Swansea city centre in future and make the most of its strengths, but we’re keen for as much input as possible from experts, traders and the public so that all views and ideas can be considered. This is why a creative consultation activity is ongoing in the city centre.
“There’s a healthy mix on the Swansea Development Advisory Group of urban design experts and local business success stories. This gives us the ideal platform to guide how we get regeneration right and deliver a city centre that meets everyone’s aspirations.
“The appointment of Professor Maher and others to the Group to work alongside senior council officers follows in the wake of Sir Terry Matthews’ appointment as Chairman of the Swansea Bay City Region. This shows how serious we are about transforming the city centre and the whole region’s fortunes.”
Professor Maher is also the Executive Chairman of Hassell, Australia’s largest multi-disciplinary design practice. He’s agreed to take part in meetings through teleconferencing and video conferencing when he’s not in the UK, and will also sometimes be represented by colleagues based in Wales.