Open space planning
We work with state and local governments, NGOs and private industry to shape cities and regional communities for decades to come. Our open space planning specialists work with clients to create functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing environments that promote community engagement, well-being, and ecological health.
Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning
We work closely with our clients to understand both the current and future needs of communities in relation to open space. We work across recreational, environmental, cultural, and social dimensions. Our approach combines data analysis with deep stakeholder engagement to build a clear picture of how people use, value, and aspire to interact with open spaces.
From this foundation, our open space planning consultants help shape a long-term vision that balances community well-being with environmental resilience and urban growth. We establish clear goals and objectives, and translate these into policies and guidelines that provide a practical framework for planning, design, and management. By linking community needs with strategic direction, we ensure open spaces remain functional, inclusive, and sustainable for decades to come.
Open space planning
We bring extensive experience and recognised capability in open space planning and research, having delivered projects that continue to shape metropolitan and regional landscapes. Our work is grounded in evidence, community needs, and ecological values, ensuring that open spaces provide enduring benefits for people and nature alike.
In Greater Melbourne, we have contributed to some of the city’s most influential open space initiatives, including the Open Space for Everyone Strategy, the Frankston to Mornington Parkland Plan, and the marram baba Regional Parkland Plan. Beyond Victoria, we have supported governments and councils in NSW and Queensland through projects such as The Coast Green Space Background and Direction Report (Qld), the Wave Break Island Feasibility Study (Qld), the NSW Open Space Strategy, and investment planning for open space in Cumberland Council (NSW). Across all these projects, our open space planning consultants role has been to create frameworks and strategies that guide sustainable investment, foster community connection, and secure the long-term value of open space.
Adaptation and resilience
Mosaic Insights has expertise across technical, social science and data science to help clients with adaptation and resilience. We understand that managing climate risks within an open space planning context requires more than just quantifying impacts. It demands a nuanced understanding of community dynamics, governance structures, and the interconnected systems that shape vulnerability and resilience.
Our work spans from evidence based climate risk assessments to community led resilience initiatives, ensuring that strategies are grounded in both robust analysis and lived experience. By integrating planning, engagement, and evaluation advice, our open space planning consultants support clients to design practical interventions, strengthen adaptive capacity, and build resilience that is inclusive, enduring, and aligned with long-term sustainability outcomes.
Industry leadership
Our open space planning consultants are industry leaders who are known for their deep expertise and knowledge in their field. They bring a thorough understanding of industry trends, technologies and best practices.
Dr Dom Blackham
Dom is a geographer with specialist expertise in resilient and liveable catchments and cities. He has a particular interest in bringing together open space, urban water, green infrastructure and restoration planning for environmental and social outcomes.<br><br>Over his 20-year career in consulting and research, Dom has delivered complex projects and helped clients solve intractable problems. His collaborative approach, advanced project management capability, workshop facilitation skills, and deep technical knowledge allow him to develop strategies, plans and on-ground actions that meet multiple and often competing, objectives. Dom is a regular presenter and panellist at industry conferences.<br><br>Dom has pioneered the application of genuinely integrated, evidence-based approaches to understanding how open space networks, urban forests and urban water can influence sustainable, liveable cities.
Matthew Bolton
<p class="CVBodyText">Matt is a AILA Registered Landscape Architect and senior environmental planning, design and construction consultant with over 20 years’ experience in management of environmentally and culturally significant urban, rural, waterway, coastal and bushland landscapes.</p><p class="CVBodyText">He has proven experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams in wetland and waterway design, bushland and waterway restoration and establishment of sustainable recreational and major open space infrastructure in complex high profile public open space areas.</p>
Projects in Open Space Planning
More Mosaic Insights capabilities
AI and machine learning
We work with our clients to deploy AI and machine learning to enhance decision-making through predictive analytics and improving data-driven insights.
Nature-based solutions
Our work focuses on the integration of natural processes and ecosystems to address challenges such as climate change, flooding, air quality, and biodiversity loss. Our work improves urban resilience and enhances the well-being of communities.
Urban greening and cooling
We believe nature in cities plays a critical role in both community wellbeing and ecological health. We develop strategies and plans for open space, urban forests, greening and cooling.
Social science
We specialise in human-nature connections where we identify areas of social enquiry to inform environmental planning, evaluation and delivery.
Spatial and data science
We integrate and analyse big data sets, write algorithms, apply advanced GIS techniques, and develop dashboards and other visualisations to communicate complex science and ideas in beautiful, accessible ways.