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Zhang Speaks at Parks and Leisure Australia Conference

Last month, Dou Zhang, ASLA, landscape architect and co-director of Sasaki’s Shanghai office, presented at the 2018 Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) Western Australia State Conference. As recreation being a significant part of Australian life, this bi-annual event brought together government leaders, scientists, and planners to discuss issues, challenges, and successes of the park and leisure industry. Following an opening statement by Michael Murray, the Minister of Sport and Recreation of Australia, the event began with keynote speeches, stream sessions, workshops, technical tours, a trade show, and ended with a ceremony for the 2018 PLA WA Awards of Excellence.

This year’s conference theme was “Growing Expectations,” which focused on the challenges of fast-growing populations and urbanization in Australia. In her keynote speech and stream session on parks and environments, Zhang spoke about Lingang Ring Park and Xuhui Runway Park, sharing experiences and lessons learned when facing similar issues of growth in China. In her presentation, Dou highlighted the critical role that parks play in supporting the health of local ecosystems and increasing the value of urban districts nearby, and also summarized sustainable design strategies to create a place for both people and nature without development sprawling into agricultural land or natural areas.

See below for more photos from the event:

Parks and Leisure Australia is the peak industry association for professionals working in the Parks and Leisure sector in Australia, representing over 2500 members. Through a broad range of services they support members to provide opportunities that strengthen communities through good use of leisure time for the social, environmental, economic and physical wellbeing of all Australians.

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