User Profile
Alison Brown
Director, Access and Planning, URBAN PATHWAYS
I moved into Access Consulting following a career in urban planning and development advisory. 25+ years as a Masters degree-qualified Town Planning Consultant, including as a Director at Urbis (Australia's market-leading planning and property advisory firm), and as the in-house Planning Manager for NSW at Stockland, the ASX-listed development company.
A career pivot took place as I expanded into Access Consulting, joining Christine and Jane at Inclusive Places in Mar 22. I obtained my Cert IV in Access Consulting (conferred Mar 23) and Access Diploma (conferral pending Apr 25). I also founded Urban Pathways in Dec 23, to provide both Access and Planning services.
My Access project experience is broad and varied. From public buildings such as council chambers and Parliament House, to parks and playgrounds, to low, mid and high rise mixed use complexes with AS4299 Adaptable and LHA Liveable apartments. Public, Private and Special Purpose Schools, shopping centres and offices, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, child care centres and function centres, boarding houses and hotels, self-storage facilities, industrial and vaccine manufacturing facilities, to name a few. I have a particular interest in heritage buildings, and thrive when solving challenges in existing buildings.
Services include:
* Building and site audits; Affected Part assessments; Access upgrade and improvement strategies; Masterplan and early concept design reviews and reports; DA stage design reviews and reports; CC and CDC detailed drawing design reviews and reports; FF&E review and advices; Construction phase site inspections, RFIs, defect resolution and completion statements prior to OC.
* Not every project can tick all the boxes. Where alternative solutions are proposed or compliance is not achieved, services include Performance Based Design Briefs / Performance Solution Reports. Drawing on my town planning expertise, I also preparate reports in support of the variation of development standards in SEPPs and LEPs, and variation of development controls in DCPs, where appropriate and supportable.
Business Profile
Urban Pathways Pty Ltd
ABN:
46673488723
Urban Pathways Pty Ltd helps building owners, developers, designers, builders and place managers to provide equitable and dignified Access for people with disabilities. We also provide expert Urban Planning advice.
Founded in 2023 by Alison Brown, qualified town planner and access consultant, every project benefits from the direct involvement of the Principal. With 25+ years’ experience in property, we are across the challenges facing both private and public sectors - as well as the opportunities.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person because of disability when providing goods, services or facilities, and access to buildings or places. Minimum access standards are also enshrined in the National Construction Code.
Beyond minimum compliance is a growing acknowledgement that catering for diversity is crucial for a thriving and inclusive society. And a realisation that ‘Good Access is Good Business’.
We work on existing, modified and new buildings and places:
Public buildings, heritage buildings, offices and shopping centres, residential and mixed use, schools and childcare centres, health care, bus depots, recreation facilities, parks and playgrounds, and even high technology medical manufacturing.
We can help at whatever stage you’re at:
Existing building audits; Affected Part assessments; Pre-acquisition due diligence; Concept plan reviews; Development applications; Construction certificates; Performance Solutions; Construction stage inspections; and Completion statements
We’re based in Sydney’s Inner West. But we love to travel, and currently have projects in regional NSW and Melbourne!
