Paul Drechsler

Visiting Research Academic, The University of Western Australia

Dr Paul Drechsler is a Visiting Research Academic in the geography and planning discipline at the University of Western Australia. Subsequent to his retirement in 2013 Paul completed a Doctor of Philosophy, specialising in retailing and consumption, which aligned with his forty year career in private sector consultancy. This included sixteen years as Group Managing Director of national architecture and planning practice, Hames Sharley. He has also served on the Board of the Western Australian Planning Commission, Western Australian Land Information System Advisory Committee and was Chair of the Australian Institute of Urban Studies (WA).

As a Professional Town Planner, Geographer and Land Economist, Paul’s experience spans 40 years as a consultant in urban and regional planning, commercial and retail feasibility studies, urban design and large-scale land development. A number of projects for which he was responsible have received awards from professional and industry bodies, including the Planning Institute of Australia and Urban Development Institute of Australia. Paul is a fellow of both the Planning Institute of Australia and the Australian Property Institute.

Experience

2013–present

Doctoral Researcher, University of Western Australia
2010–2016

Commissioner, WA Planning Commission
1997–2014

Managing Director, Hames Sharley
1986–1996

Director, Hames Sharley
1975–1985

Director, Urban & Environmental Planning Group

Education

1976

Flinders University, BA Geography & Biological Science

Publications

2014

Urban Policy and Research, Metropolitan Activity Centre Planning in Australia: Implications of Millennial Consumption Practices.
1989

Australian Planner, Urban Design and Implementation

Professional Memberships

Fellow, Planning Institute of Australia
Fellow, Australian Property Institute