Industry-leading urban design firm Kinetica to join Urbis
Published: June 15, 2023

This acquisition takes Urbis’ Melbourne Design Studio to 33 specialists across urban design, landscape architecture and expert evidence, as part of the larger 120+ strong national design practice – one of the largest in Australia.

Together we can provide the industry with a strong Melbourne-based team of multidisciplinary experts
Led by Mark Sheppard and Julia Bell, kinetica brings independent, bespoke urban design expertise to Urbis’ growing Melbourne Design Studio.
“Together we can provide the industry with a strong Melbourne-based team of multidisciplinary experts spanning landscape architecture, economics, property, and planning. We have the people and the infrastructure to solve some of the most complex urban challenges.” – Natalie Hoitz, Group Director, National Design, Urbis.
kinetica is an established and well-respected urban design firm in Melbourne whose strengths can be amplified by the diversity of thinking and data-driven solutions of Urbis.
Mark Sheppard and Julia Bell are trusted experts and advocates for good design in cities, leveraging private sector insights and public sector objectives.
Mark Sheppard is the President of VPELA and an industry thought leader specialising in large-scale master planning and urban renewal projects.
While Julia Bell boasts over 12 years’ experience across urban design and strategic planning in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
“ Backed by a larger team, we’re excited to have greater capacity for complex, time sensitive projects, while still providing our clients with the same independent, expert advice they have come to expect from us.
“kinetica is an established and well-respected urban design firm in Melbourne whose strengths can be amplified by the diversity of thinking and data-driven solutions of Urbis.” – Paul Hardyman, Director – QLD Design Studio Lead, Urbis.
“Backed by a larger team, we’re excited to have greater capacity for complex, time sensitive projects, while still providing our clients with the same independent, expert advice they have come to expect from us.” – Mark Sheppard, Principal, kinetica.









