Growth Facts Feed Fido Friendly Planning

An Australia-wide search has been launched for the planning project that best considers the needs of
our beloved pets.

The resizing of the Aussie backyard, a shift to townhouse and apartment living and more compact
urban environments have planners focussing on how this impacts the country’s high rate of pet
ownership.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and the Petcare Information Advisory Service (PIAS) have
partnered to launch the inaugural 2012 Pet Friendly Planning Award.

PIA National President Dyan Currie said the shift in the way Australians are living and the ongoing
popularity of pet ownership are driving the need to better plan for pets in urban environments.

“Two in every three homes in Australia have at least one pet. When you consider that lot sizes are
getting smaller and census data showing an increase in apartment living, pets need to be catered for in
parks and other public spaces,” Ms Currie said.

“We have been a bit slow in Australia in successfully integrating pets into city living. Many countries
with higher density living environments have done it well in the past and growth here means we need
to catch up.

“Whilst we’ll need to take policy initiatives to make this happen, there’s an opportunity already to
promote socially responsible pet ownership. We believe the establishment of this attractive award will
showcase some great planning.”

The 2012 Pet Friendly Planning Award will recognise planners whose work encourages the social
integration of pets in city precincts and public spaces. It is expected entries will be received from peak
planning bodies, individual planners, local councils, urban designers, landscape architects and any
person or organisation involved in planning and development.

The value of the award is $8,000 and the winner will be announced on World Town Planning Day in
November this year, with the winning project showcased at the 2013 PIA National Congress in
Canberra.

PIA says one of the keys to modern planning is recognising the health benefits of better designed
urban spaces.

“Studies continue to show that well-planned communities with good connectivity and walkability to
proper facilities, services and infrastructure are healthier environments,” Ms Currie said.

“Other research shows there are enormous health benefits for people who own pets. It’s a normal part
of life for two thirds of Australians, and this award is part of a positive approach to pet ownership in city
environments.

“A number of urban factors need to be considered to support owners who walk their dog. A local park
that has dog-supportive features means people are more likely to use it, which promotes exercise and
social interaction for both the dog and the owner.

“Creating pet supportive open public spaces can bring a number of broad community benefits,
including a reduction in nuisance behaviour in bored and under-exercised dogs.”

PIAS was established in 1966 as an autonomous, non-commercial organisation committed to
promoting socially responsible pet ownership. The partnership with PIA to promote pet friendly
planning through the 2012 Pet Friendly Planning Award is a first in Australia.

Organisations or individuals keen on submitting an entry should go to:
http://www.planning.org.au/whatson/pet-friendly-planning-awards.
Planning Institute Australia