The Microforest Collective has installed five climate-cooling native rainforests through crowdfunding to transform “drab spaces into fab spaces” so far. Photo: TEDxCanberra.
Mitch Porteous presents the same fiendishly simple philosophy to all the developers who seek his consultation: spaces better reflect the heart and soul of their communities when their people help shape them.
Mitch says you’d be surprised that many developers don’t know where to begin.
“By and large, property developers are open to ideas to involve the communities where they’re building, but the challenge they find is not knowing how to engage them in the right way or at the right stage,” he says.
Mitch studied construction management before discovering he was more suited to helping cities activate spaces and working with communities to bring out the best in their neighbourhoods.
As a staunch community advocate with board positions in multiple industries, Mitch’s mission is to help Australia thrive by combining his skills in community development with businesses that are working to improve the country.
He says there are massive benefits to community consultation done well.
“It increases buy-in, engagement and a sense of ownership that creates a snowball effect,” he says.
“What we’ve found is that it leads to better pedestrian traffic, which means businesses thrive in the precinct.
“People are also looking after the space more, decreasing the need for ongoing maintenance.
“This approach isn’t just for developers. Local government plays the same role. If we can get them building more community-driven spaces, it frees up public funds for other projects because we have communities driving the development and maintenance of these spaces.”
Mitch will explore this concept at TEDxCanberra’s flagship event on 1 November.
This year’s theme is ‘Illuminate’ and is designed to cast light on the issues that matter most. Speakers will illuminate the path forward by unravelling the intricacies of diverse topics – from global challenges to local innovations – offering insights that will challenge your thinking and inspire action.
In his talk, Mitch will drive his point home using the example of the “microforests” he worked on with prominent Canberra architect Edwina Robinson, founder of The Climate Factory.
The Microforest Collective organisation has so far installed five climate-cooling native rainforests to transform “drab spaces to fab spaces” – all crowdfunded.
“This is a good example of a development reaching its potential because the community has felt invested,” Mitch says.
“Those are the kinds of projects that tend to last because people care.”
Mitch’s community-led approach has been used to progress complex projects, such as the recently greenlit Brickworks development in the ACT.
A significant piece of Canberra’s history, the site produced the Old Canberra Red bricks used in the city’s oldest homes and buildings, including Old Parliament House.
Redevelopment of the site had become a divisive issue locally, and a community panel was convened to reach an agreement on moving forward.
Notably, the project will prioritise integrated greenspace.
Mitch Porteous is a big proponent of greening urban areas. Photo: TEDxCanberra.
For the past decade, Mitch has delivered projects that activate public spaces through art, festivals, and greening urban areas.
He also leads specialist teams to address future workforce needs at HorizonOne Recruitment, with expertise in the Australian space sector.
“A key point of my talk is people power. The space sector has a lot of entry-level positions but not much opportunity in the middle. I see it as another sector where we have the opportunity to harness people power to achieve growth and innovation,” he says.
“This can be said of Australia more broadly.”
Mitch says Australia is at the precipice of a chance to redefine itself and put aside its dubious claim as “the lucky country”.
“We call ourselves ‘the lucky country’. Not a lot of people know that that title was initially given to us as an insult,” he says.
“Author Donald Horne meant to point out that the country is built on its natural resources, which we export, and that this is what drives our growth – not because of anything our people have achieved.
“I believe we have a great opportunity to step into the innovation sector, and our people can decide if and how they show up and get involved. And I hope more people do.”
TEDxCanberra’s flagship event, Illuminate, takes place from 11:30 am to 5 pm on Friday, 1 November, at the NFSA. Book via Humanitix.
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