PLACE LEADERS URBAN LEADERS' SUMMIT
2-5 APRIL 2025 IN DARWIN
(multiple venues across the Darwin Waterfront / Convention Centre / CBD)
Book-ending the Awards Presentation and Dinner is the Place Leaders Urban Leaders’ Summit over 2-5 April 2025. Based at the stunning Darwin Convention Centre in the heart of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, the Summit offers you an unparalleled cultural learning experience - here you'll experience the frontline of placemaking across voice, inclusion, and climate adaption. Don't miss this unique chance to stay ahead in your field thanks to our 2025 Summit Partner, Darwin Waterfront Corporation.
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Darwin Waterfront with the Summit venue, Darwin Convention Centre. to the right. Summit delegates
(and their families / companions) will enjoy complementary access to the Darwin Waterfront Wave Pool
You’ll see cutting-edge climate resilience practices in a real-world setting and hear from the trailblazers behind those projects at the intersection of science, government, and First Nations perspectives.
A true personal and professional development opportunity, you’ll take home the lessons of incorporating Indigenous wisdom into consultation, urban design and placemaking, and for building climate resilience into your projects.
In addition to the Summit program, multiple site tours will be available including interactive walking tours of Darwin’s CBD that will broaden your perspective on both activating and cooling urban spaces, but but you’ll start on the evening of Wednesday 2 April 2025 by jumping off the plane and on to the water for a climate resilient city showcase as seen from Darwin Harbour. You'll also enjoy the ultimate Darwin experience - a Laksa breakfast served fresh on the lawns of NT Parliament prepared by finalists from the Darwin International Laksa Festival. You’ll wrap-up with an engaging tour of Darwin's thriving night-time economy and then a Saturday morning visit and presentation at the lively Parap Village Markets, delivered by the Parap Village Traders Association since 1988.
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Enjoy a unqiely Darwin experience - a Laksa breakfast on the lawns of NT Parliament
The Place Leaders Asia Pacific Urban Leaders’ Summit 2025 offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, build connections, and explore new approaches to placemaking and urban leadership.
1. Be part of groundbreaking conversations led by the Larrakia people, showcasing best practices in Indigenous placemaking. Delegates will learn how to authentically integrate First Nations knowledge into urban planning. Attending this Summit in a city at the forefront of Voice and Inclusion is a game-changer for professionals in government and private enterprise who want to Design with Country and engage First Nations. Attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Indigenous Perspectives and Place micro-credential, highlighting their commitment to integrating First Nations knowledge into their work.
2. Darwin has more significant street art installations in its CBD per capita than any other Australian city - delegates will see first-hand how creative placemaking energises communities and engages marginalised stakeholders as they explore Darwin’s vibrant outdoor gallery, featuring over 130 street murals - many brought to life with augmented reality.
3. The Darwin Waterfront Precinct venue itself is a leading example of best-practice Australian placemaking, demonstrating how design and community collaboration can transform industrial spaces into vibrant, inclusive hubs that balance culture, commerce, and sustainability.
4. Delegates will learn the critical role of placemaking in driving economic growth by embracing authentic local culture. Darwin’s retail, dining, and authentic events scene - including the Darwin International Laksa Festival - offers a leading model for creating (‘inventing!’) inclusive and thriving spaces and making your city a destination.
5. Delegates will hear from climate and urban design experts about combining Indigenous knowledge with modern technology in a city at the forefront of the Climate Emergency. What Darwin is doing now is what other Australian cities will have to do over the next decade. Delegates will see these interventions in action and learn what works.
You’ll get a unique view into the transformative power of Indigenous placemaking in creating vibrant communities and network with fellow Urban Leaders at the Awards Dinner at Darwin Harbour and lunches at Darwin Convention Centre, all while enjoying unique cultural ceremonies - including participation in a Saltwater Ceremony - that only the Top End can offer.
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You'll experience amazing murals throughout the Darwin CBD with commentary from curators and administrators of the Darwin Street Art Festival
Darwin is Australia’s unearthed gem for placemaking, a city that’s had to rebuild itself every few decades after war and natural disaster yet still retain its heart while embracing the Asia-Pacific. There’s an energy there - last year’s Award winners for Place Process and Digital Placemaking were from Darwin.
This Summit is a must for anyone dedicated to urban planning, climate resilience, community development and leadership, policy making, and placemaking. We'll be providing updates including the full conference Agenda, flight and accommodation options, and pre-Summit / post-Summit tours. Hold the dates of 4-5 April 2025 and complete the form below to make sure you get advance notice when tickets are released - spaces are limited!
SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS
● Complimentary access to the Darwin Waterfront Wave Lagoon for delegates and their families. You can also take a dip in the tropical beach at Darwin Waterfront - it’s safe from crocodiles with a seawall separating the beach from the adjacent Darwin Harbour!
● Unique Darwin experiences, including a post-Awards evening Laksa ‘Recovery’ Breakfast prepared by finalists of the Darwin International Laksa Festival on the NT Parliament Lawns, a twilight Darwin Harbour cruise, and a visit to the famous Parap Village Markets for a ‘coffee and croissants’ street vibrancy session.
● Explore Darwin’s dynamic street art scene with a guided tour showcasing over 130 vibrant murals installed as part of the Darwin Street Art Festival, stunning rooftop views, and exclusive artist residencies.
● Participate in ‘On Country’ storytelling with Larrakia Nation representatives, participate in the transformative pre-Awards Saltwater Ceremony, and discover and see the power of Indigenous placemaking in building vibrant and inclusive communities.
● Special video appearance from renowned urban designer Jan Gehl, who will inaugurate the Jan Gehl Centrepiece Award for placemaking excellence.
● Gain firsthand insights into the intersection of climate science and Indigenous knowledge, presented by leading experts from Charles Darwin University, CSIRO Darwin Living Lab, City of Darwin Council, and Larrakia Nation. See how Darwin’s adaptive strategies, such as green infrastructure and shaded walkways, are shaping its urban landscape to mitigate climate emergency challenges.
● Build connections at the Summit’s Happy Hour and the Place Leaders Asia Pacific Awards Presentation and Dinner, where you’ll enjoy cultural performances, fine dining, and inspiring conversations.
● Connect with a diverse community of urban planners, cultural practitioners, and policy makers over networking lunches, where the backdrop of the Darwin Waterfront will inspire collaboration and new ideas for your placemaking projects.
● Optional tours of iconic locations like the Tiwi Islands and Kakadu National Park.
● Witness the best sunsets in the world!
REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
REGISTRATION FEES
Full Registration Member* - $690
Full Registration Non-Member* - $745
Awards Event Guest Ticket - $195
Darwin Street Art Festival Tour - $59
(2 April 2025 - optional)
Climate Resilience Masterclass - Environment, Climate Change & Indigenous Science - $95
(2 April 2025 - optional)
All prices include GST and are in Australian Dollars.
* Member discounts are available to members of Place Leaders Asia Pacific.
REGISTRATION INCLUSIONS
Full delegate registration for speakers, members, and non-members includes:
• Attendance at all conference sessions from the Wednesday evening sunset cruise to the Saturday morning visit to Parap Village Markets
• Attendance and dinner/drinks at the Place Leaders Asia Pacific Awards on Thursday evening
• Daily catering including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea - Thursday and Friday
• Certificate of Completion for the ‘Indigenous Perspectives and Place’ Place Leaders microcredential provided to each Summit attendee by Place Leaders Asia Pacific
• Optional day and evening field trips (additional cost)
• Delegate list
• Speakers papers and presentations
Your chance to shine! Coming to Darwin, Place Leaders Asia-Pacific Awards nominations are open and will be announced at the Awards Presentation and Dinner at the Place Leader’s Urban Leaders’ Summit.
Join us in celebrating cutting edge innovation and excellence in the place sector, with categories covering projects, processes, leadership, governance, and digital placemaking - see the 2023 winners.
The 2024 Awards will be announced at our annual Awards Presentation and Dinner at the stunning Darwin Waterfront on Thursday 3 April 2025. Immerse yourself in the lush, tropical ambiance of Darwin thanks to our 2024 Awards Partner, Activate Darwin.
The Place Leaders Asia Pacific Awards Program provides a platform for the promotion and celebration of innovation and excellence across a broad field of place-focused work. The program highlights the achievements of Place Leaders like you and the ongoing contribution of your work in delivering successful place outcomes that enrich the life and well-being of all communities. Visit our 2024 Awards page for full details.
The stunning Darwin Waterfront location for the Place Leaders Awards Presentation and Dinner
Proudly Supported By
Activate Darwin - Awards Partner
Darwin Waterfront Corporation - Summit Partner