Alistair Hepburn
Encyclopedia
John Alistair Hepburn was a town planner, noted for his contributions to the design and development of the urban regions within greater Perth
, Western Australia
and Melbourne, Victoria
.
Hepburn studied as a chartered surveyor and valuer at Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology
in East Sussex
before joing the Royal Artillery
during World War II
. After the war he practised as a town planning consultant in London and Middlesex and emigrated to Australia in 1951 where he joined the Brisbane City Council and later the Cumberland County Council
in Sydney
.
In 1953 he took a position as the Town Planning Commissioner for Western Australia. In this time he joined with Professor Gordon Stephenson
who had been commissioned specifically to produce a plan for the metropolitan areas of Perth and Fremantle
. The pair co-authored the 1955 'Plan for the Metropolitan Region of Perth and Fremantle' which has served as the blueprint for town planning in the region since then.
The major arterial road Hepburn Avenue in Perth's northern suburbs is named in his honour.
Hepburn moved to Victoria in 1959 where he took a position of Chief Planner for the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. He held positions there until his retirement in 1978. During his time in Melbourne, he helped guide the expansion of the city and the metropolitan region during the 1960s and 1970s. He also held council positions at La Trobe University
both prior to its establishment in 1964, and continuing there until 1970.
Hepburn was made an Officer (Civil) of the Order of the British Empire
and in 2000 received a Centenary Medal
.
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and Melbourne, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
.
Hepburn studied as a chartered surveyor and valuer at Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology
Sussex Downs College
Sussex Downs College is a further education college in East Sussex, England, that was established in 2001 through a merger of Lewes Tertiary College and Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology, with Park Sixth Form College in Eastbourne added in 2003...
in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
before joing the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war he practised as a town planning consultant in London and Middlesex and emigrated to Australia in 1951 where he joined the Brisbane City Council and later the Cumberland County Council
Cumberland County, New South Wales
Cumberland County is a county in the State of New South Wales, Australia. Most of the Sydney metropolitan area is located within the County of Cumberland....
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
.
In 1953 he took a position as the Town Planning Commissioner for Western Australia. In this time he joined with Professor Gordon Stephenson
Gordon Stephenson
Gordon Stephenson was a British-born town planner and architect. He is best known for his role in shaping the modern growth and development of Perth, Western Australia.-Early career:...
who had been commissioned specifically to produce a plan for the metropolitan areas of Perth and Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
. The pair co-authored the 1955 'Plan for the Metropolitan Region of Perth and Fremantle' which has served as the blueprint for town planning in the region since then.
The major arterial road Hepburn Avenue in Perth's northern suburbs is named in his honour.
Hepburn moved to Victoria in 1959 where he took a position of Chief Planner for the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. He held positions there until his retirement in 1978. During his time in Melbourne, he helped guide the expansion of the city and the metropolitan region during the 1960s and 1970s. He also held council positions at La Trobe University
La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are...
both prior to its establishment in 1964, and continuing there until 1970.
Hepburn was made an Officer (Civil) of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
and in 2000 received a Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
.