Urbis welcomes new Associate Director, Dr Nathaniel Bavinton to the Smart Places and Sustainability team.
A city strategist, urban sociologist, and a PhD academic Nathaniel will play an important role in establishing an in-depth understanding of the interdisciplinary strategic urban planning required as cities and regions respond to shifting urban dynamics, transformative policy agendas and emerging technologies.
“I have a particular interest in the social structures and processes producing cities and generating both their social fabrics and built environments. I work at the intersection of urban governance, innovation, economy, sustainability, and place” says Nathaniel.
With over 15 years’ experience, Nathaniel is committed to building smarter cities, which he describes as simply those with the confidence and capability to grasp new opportunities through collaboration, innovation, technology, digital and data. Importantly, this does not ever happen in isolation, but succeeds or fails based on complementary policy, regulatory and social innovation.
A major achievement for Nathaniel was building the globally recognised Newcastle Smart City Initiative. He played a significant role in establishing Newcastle as a city which embraces the future, innovation, technology, and data, where people have the opportunity to thrive in a diversifying economy. He is also acknowledged as a thought leader in the design and management of cities at night. Drawing on a unique research background, Nathaniel has a strong reputation for developing data-led strategies and programs for growing safe, vibrant, and diverse night-time economies.
Nathaniel possesses a deep appreciation of cities, how they can be better connected, and more creative, diverse, and socially inclusive for all. Ensuring that people remain at the centre of applied smart city practice is Nathaniel’s catalyst – bringing behavioural economics, ecosystem thinking, social planning and citizen engagement into the core of his work.
Urbis Director of Smart Places and Sustainability Clare Brown adds, “Nathaniel’s expertise and extensive experience as an academic, researcher, social scientist, and planner (across a wide range of subject matters), will generate a fresh perspective. Nathaniel’s recruit signifies the depth and breadth of our Smart Places and Sustainability offer.
We are inspired by Nathaniel’s firsthand experience in leading the preparation and execution of data-led innovation strategies across a diverse portfolio including:
- smart city technology,
- economic development,
- sustainability, night-time economy; and
- place making.
Nathaniel will enable us to develop practical advice and solutions for both our government and private sector clients.
His appointment confirms our commitment to unify the brightest minds to deliver smart and sustainable communities across Australia. We are looking forward to working with Nathaniel and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the team”.