Centenary Square, Parramatta

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RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Anton James (a principal of James Mather Delaney (JMD) Design) was commissioned by Parramatta City Council in 2013 to lead a multidisciplinary team in the tansformation of the civic center of Parramatta, Centenary Square. In 2015, it was awarded the Place project award by the Place Leaders Asia Pacific Awards Program - a not-for-profit member organisation for the promotion of leadership among place shapers, makers, activators and managers working in Australasia and the Asia-Pacific region, comprising dedicated organisations and individuals that develop successful place-making practices, policy and processes. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: JMD design led prominent landscape architecture, urban design and architecture firms Taylor Cullity Lethlean, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Gehl Architects (Denmark) to improve connectivity at the civic heart of the city. The revitalisation has improved social interaction through both programmed and impromptu activation of the space, evidenced through the reduction of crime and antisocial behaviour since the square's opening in September 2014. The design establishes an identity and character unique to the city and serves as the catalyst for the future expansion of the city within Parramatta Square. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: JMD design led the $35 million Parramatta Square development, to transform the 10,000-square-metre space at the centre of one of the largest urban renewal projects in Australia (totalling $2 billion). Centenary Square's success is evident in its newfound popularity as an open central space able to accommodate activities of varying scale and intensity that change regularly in accord with the curatorial program for Parramatta. In addition to the Place Project award, the significance of this project is evidenced by extensive review in the professional magazines Architecture Bulletin and Landezine as well as Fairfax Media.