Join us for West Fest 2026: Designing in Belonging
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Join us for West Fest 2026: Designing in Belonging
A half-day knowledge exchange hearing from local built environment experts on fostering a sense of belonging in an increasingly dense, digital society.
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As cities continue to densify, how can we foster a sense of belonging amid digital addiction, a loneliness epidemic, and the rise of AI-driven economies? The fourth annual West Fest will explore the latest research and initiatives from Western Sydney and beyond.
Featuring six rapid 10-minute talks, two panel discussions chaired by Joshua French, Greater Sydney Parklands, and a fully catered networking lunch.
West Fest is an annual half-day knowledge exchange presented by Cumberland City Council, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), and Street Furniture Australia. This year’s program was curated with Landscape Foundation Australia.
IN-PERSON (only 120 seats at Parramatta Square) or LIVESTREAM
Tuesday 10 November 2025, 8.30am-1pm AEDT
This is a free event. AILA members may self record for 4 informal CPD points.
West Fest 2026 Program
08:30 Registration & Coffee
09:00 Welcome AILA, Cumberland City Council, Deerubbin Land Council
09:20 Talk 1: Designed for Loneliness? Shaping Cities for Connection Xiaoqi Feng, UNSW
09:30 Talk 2: Reflections of Belonging: a case study of the Nepean River Precinct Anne Sacco,
Head of Design, Penrith City Council
09:40 Talk 3: Belonging After Dark James Granter, Cumberland City Council
09:50 Talk 4: Youth & Social Connection Hannah Richardson, University of Canberra
10:00 Morning Tea Break
10:40 Talk 5: Belonging Through Landscape Scott Jackson, CONTEXT
10:50 Talk 6: Social Infrastructure in the Digital Age June Lee Boxsell, Street Furniture Australia
11:00 Panel 1: Q&A with Speakers Chaired by Joshua French, CEO, Greater Sydney Parklands
11:45 Panel 2: Building Belonging in Local Government Sydney Olympic Park Authority,
Cumberland City Council, City of Parramatta, Strathfield Council, Campbelltown City Council
12:30 Networking Lunch
13:00 Ends
Hosts
Natalie McEvoy
NSW President, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
Christopher Manoski
Manager Place and Engagement, Cumberland City Council
Panel Chair
Joshua French
Chief Executive, Greater Sydney Parklands
Speakers
Designed for Loneliness? Shaping Cities for Connection
Xiaoqi Feng
Professor of Urban Health and Environment, UNSW School of Population Health
Reflections of Belonging: a case study of the Nepean River Precinct
Anne Sacco
Head of Design, Penrith City Council
Belonging After Dark
James Granter
City Economy and Investment, Cumberland City Council
Youth & Social Connection
Hannah Richardson
Researcher, The Schoolyard Greenprint, University of Canberra
Belonging Through Landscape
Scott Jackson
Director, CONTEXT
Social Infrastructure in the Digital Age
June Lee Boxsell
Director of Strategy and Innovation, Street Furniture Australia
Panel Discussion With
Christopher Manoski
Manager Place and Engagement, Cumberland City Council
Ben Michel
Strathfield Council
Nazanin Azimipanah
City of Parramatta
Ian Andrews
Campbelltown City Council
Maria Rigoli
Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Highlights from West Fest 2025
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2026 AILA Awards: Good Cause Giveaway
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Introducing the new Pillar Leg
Street Furniture Australia’s new Pillar Leg is slimmer but sturdier. Discover what goes into a furniture leg, from fixing and accessibility to design. Read More
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14th Street Y: From active space to community
How did a quiet gym lobby bring together 420+ locals? Learn how 14th Street Y uses social infrastructure and cheap coffee to build community. Read More
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The design story behind Aria Bin
By Francis McArdle, Lead Designer of Aria Bin. There may be no piece of public infrastructure more overused and underappreciated than the humble bin. A basic necessity in... Read More
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Should heat be regulated?
What if cities regulated heat like fire and flooding? ASLA explores how thermal performance could become a standard part of urban design. Read More
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GreenScapes 2026: Did Queensland’s newest landscape industry show deliver?
Explore highlights from GreenScapes 2026 as Street Furniture Australia reflects on QLD’s new landscaping and design industry show. Read More
