The Future Embraced: Insights for those who care about the planet and its people. Kobus Mentz

An Urban Design Group presentation by Kobus Mentz.
00:00 - Origins of the book
06:54 - Be future relevant
10:30 - Develop your own compass
22:16 - Convert global challenges into local opportunities
31:01 - Shape your career
37:19 - Be an effective player
39:03 - Be an agent for change
41:33 - Be a cross border raider
42:56 - Be an urban choreographer
51:00 - Be a thought leader
55:42 - Embrace the future -
59:24 - Q&A
Organised and chaired by Robert Huxford, Director of the Urban Design Group

Kobus Mentz is director of Urbanismplus. In 1977 he qualified as an architect and in 1987 acquired a post-graduate degree in urban design at the Joint Centre for Urban Design in Oxford. He has practiced in Africa, the UK and since 1994 in New Zealand. He has had additional professional and academic forays into Australia, India, China, UAE, USA, UK and Canada.

In 2004 he founded Urbanismplus a boutique urban design practice specialising in complex urban issues internationally. They have worked in over 80 towns, cities and settlements. Their work has attracted numerous national awards including Best Master Planned Community in Australia. The RIBA book: 20/20 Visions lists their Dunedin Warehouse Precinct as one of the 20 best world-wide-practice exemplars of collaborative planning and placemaking. This project leveraged $52m private investment off only $1.1m private sector spending. Their Melbourne 2030 Growth Strategy saved the Victorian economy $25-43m as well as 23% reductions in travel time resulting in significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

Kobus has published widely and recently authored: The Future Embraced: career insights for urban professionals who care about the planet and its planet. © Urban Design Group