Enjoy this entertaining conversation between April McCabe and Amelia Lee as they reveal how the built environment can improve the quality of life for all, and the ways that they use their professional skills to advocate for others. This session is available as both a podcast and video.

Our conversationalists for this episode are April McCabe and Amelia Lee. Amelia is the founder of Undercover Architect and April is a strategic planner and founder of Urbanistas Sydney. At the time of this conversation, April was Associate Director at Cred Consulting. She has since become Director, Social Strategy + Engagement at The Planning Studio.

Our speakers discuss their dedication to improving the built environment for all, the importance of giving people access to good information, and why working on projects that align with your values matters.

April describes herself as the “knowledge bowerbird”, someone who loves community voices and the stories you hear and collect as a planner creating policy. She shares her love of politics and commitment to serving the public. Amelia explains her mantra for Undercover Architect – “a rising tide floats all boats” – arguing that power is knowledge we should share and not hold. They are in furious agreement about the importance of giving people access to good information (your secret ally), and of generosity when engaging with communities.


This Salon was recorded live on Zoom in Wednesday 11 August, 2021. Organised by Ali McFadyen and Emma Healy, it was supported by Parlour Partner AWS.