Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning affirms support for Voice to Parliament

“We are delighted the School of Architecture, Design and Planning has adopted this resolution,” said the School’s Associate Dean Indigenous, Dr Michael Mossman and Dean and Head of School, Professor Robyn Dowling.

 "The position to support the Voice is another step to rethinking how we continue connect with and listen to Country and First Nations Communities and Cultures. Our School draws inspiration from the Indigenous knowledge systems and placemaking that have shaped Country, and are committed to bringing forth awareness and application of these systems to ensure they are meaningfully embedded into practices."

The Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning supports the recognition of First Nations peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Later this year all Australians will be asked to come together and vote in a referendum seeking to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution through the enshrinement of a Voice to Parliament. The Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning has a strong history of combining research and learning with activism and advocacy. In our design studios, our labs, our workshops, and through our research we explore the socio-political basis of creativity and ingenuity, and are always mindful of what it is to design and build on land that was never ceded.

We are proud of our history of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, from Redfern to Yarrabah to Warburton to Guyra. The School explores the particular challenges of communities, and advocates for communities on practices relating to designing with Country and the health and housing nexus. We recognise the ongoing relationship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have with Country and value the generosity of First Nations communities in sharing their knowledge of the land upon which—with which—we co-design and plan.

We are committed to educating and shaping future architecture, design and planning professionals and reimagining the way urban and regional places are engaged. The Uluru Statement aligns with our values of inclusion, respect and excellence, and its call for a Voice to Parliament requires that we listen to and be led by First Nations Australians.

Bringing together the areas of architecture, design, planning and urbanism, we play a key role in partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to meet aspirations and needs that can enrich disciplines. Whilst encouraging individual and academic freedom and respecting difference of opinion, the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning accepts the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament as a simple and practical way to create better futures with Country and First Nations Communities and Cultures.