Over the last few years, local councils across NSW have increasingly recognised the value urban designers bring to planning processes. A standout example is the City of Canterbury Bankstown, which has established a dedicated urban design team deeply embedded in strategic planning to help shape the city’s future and strategic direction.
Hend Sameh, Team Leader of Urban Design, as she shares Canterbury Bankstown’s experience and the impact of their approach. Discover the strategies employed, key achievements earned, challenges faced, and lessons learned along the way.
About Hend
Hend Sameh is an urban design professional with 25 years of experience spanning both the private and local government sectors in Australia and internationally. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s in urban design and regional planning.
As the leader of the Urban Design team at Canterbury-Bankstown City Council (CBCity), Hend is committed to delivering innovative, place-based solutions to complex urban challenges in one of Australia’s most culturally diverse communities.
Her notable achievements include spearheading the award-winning Campsie Master Plan, establishing CBCity’s Design Review Panel, integrating 3D modelling into planning processes, and pioneering the Visual DCP project to make planning more accessible and engaging for the community.