As a consultancy committed to best practice, Hansen Partnership is firmly committed to the delivery of environmentally sustainable outcomes. This applies across our practice and our outputs. We have a long-standing commitment to improving environmental outcomes through planning, urban design and landscape architecture – thoughtful planning and design have a critical role to play in creating sustainable places that respond to the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss and support community resilience.

We recognise that the projects we undertake and the advice we provide has a lasting impact on the communities and the environment. For this reason, we seek opportunities to work on projects that minimise environmental impacts, strengthen climate resilience and create sustainable resilient places for future generations.  We have a long history of innovation in the use of planning and design to improve environmental outcomes.

Our work with the Municipal Association of Victoria more than a decade ago underpins the Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) policies found in many planning schemes today. But as a company we recognise and acknowledge that the that the environmental challenges we face have intensified and importance of delivering better outcomes has escalated in the face of a growing climate crisis. As a multidisciplinary practice, while we recognise the challenges we face, we are also excited by the opportunities that are present when creative design is matched to a robust evidence base and appropriate controls.
 
 
Planning and Design for a changing climate

For almost three decades, we have worked with government, industry and communities to shape planning policy, guide sustainable development and deliver projects that respond to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.

This commitment is reflected in our work across:

• Climate resilience and adaptation planning.
• Coastal hazard and sea level rise planning.
• Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD) policy.
• Green infrastructure and urban green strategies.
• Biodiversity and landscape planning.
• Sustainable transport and mobility planning.
• Renewable energy and landscape impact assessment.
• Water-sensitive urban design and integrated water management.
• Sustainable housing and urban renewal.

 
This work includes award-winning projects such as Planning for a Safe Climate (Planning responses to Climate Change), contributions to the development of a range of Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) planning policies, Planning for Coastal Hazards around Port Phillip Bay, sustainable housing initiatives including Nightingale Housing projects, and environmental planning and assessment for projects such as the Star of the South Offshore Wind Farm.
 
 
Reducing our Environmental Footprint in-house

Our commitment to environmental responsibility extends beyond the projects we deliver and into the way we operate as a business. We continually review and improve our practices to reduce our environmental footprint and support more sustainable ways of working.

Our initiatives include:

• Sourcing 100% of our office electricity through AGL Green Energy.
• Occupation of a building with a NABERS 5 star rating, and built in energy reduction technology such as motion sensored lighting.
• Prioritising responsible procurement, with a focus on sustainable and low-impact products and services.
• Supporting social enterprises through our purchasing decisions.
• Conducting regular waste audits and staff education to improve recycling and reduce waste.
• Encouraging low-emission travel through public transport, walking, cycling, e-transport, car-sharing and virtual collaboration.
• Operating a digital-first workplace to minimise paper consumption and improve resource efficiency.
• Ongoing education and training for staff including empowering staff to actively engage in appropriate responses to climate change within their work

 
 
Looking Ahead

Our company, and its Directors are also active in advocacy around environmental sustainability, and in particular, the imperatives for our professions to respond to climate change, within the broader built environment profession. Through sharing insights into our projects and evolving practice related to climate change we hope to galvanize ourselves and our industry to do more and better.

Environmental responsibility is an ongoing commitment. As the challenges facing our communities continue to evolve, so too does our practice. Through evidence-based planning, innovative design and responsible business practices, Hansen Partnership remains committed to helping create places that are more sustainable, resilient and prepared for the future.