CASBE recently partnered with the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) Victorian Chapter to present at the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2026 (WSBE26) in Melbourne, bringing a local government and design perspective to discussions on housing, sustainability and resilience.
The joint presentation, Counting on Quality: Centring Resilience in Housing Policy, explored the need to balance Victoria’s ambitious housing delivery targets with a stronger focus on housing quality, resilience and liveability.
CASBE examined how planning, regulatory and approval frameworks currently support, and in some cases hinder, the delivery of resilient housing outcomes. Drawing on recent policy analysis and local government experience, the presentation highlighted opportunities to strengthen energy efficiency, urban heat resilience and access to green infrastructure, while supporting communities to deliver future-fit neighbourhoods.
The AIA Victorian Chapter complemented this policy perspective by sharing insights from its Density Done Well exhibition, showcasing innovative Victorian housing projects that demonstrate how well-designed medium- and higher-density development can deliver positive environmental and social outcomes.
Together, the presentation highlighted the importance of putting quality alongside quantity in Victoria’s housing conversation, combining policy analysis and built examples to support more resilient communities for the future.