Previous Sustainability Awards winner HY William Chan has been elected as Curator of the Global Shapers community for the World Economic Forum.

Remaining in Sydney, Chan will utilise his expertise in design thinking and city-making strategy, as well as engaging business stakeholders and the wider public with design entrepreneurship.

His move into the innovation and sustainability leadership domain builds on his professional practice honed at leading design firms including Hassell and Arup Foresight + Innovation.

Most recently at Cox Architecture, Chan facilitated the development of the firm’s future focussed global sustainability agenda, and held positions at the annual general meeting as well as the board of management design and marketing committee.

Now, he is at the helm of a broader agenda during the 10th year anniversary of Global Shapers, a community of the World Economic Forum – most well-known for its annual Davos meeting of business and industry leaders. Global Shapers drive next-generation solution building, city-making and systems change as part of the Davos Lab.

Chan’s election to the role of Curator is a testament from the Sydney community in recognising the intergenerational action required to address current challenges of the climate crisis, health pandemic and business recovery on a local, city level.

Chan says his experiences in the built environment industry will prove invaluable within the role.

“Design collaboration will enable us towards sustainable development in each of our cities. It’s critical to bring a social entrepreneurial mindset in designing solutions for people and the planet with the future in mind,” he says.

As an appointed expert panel member to the City of Sydney’s citizen-led vision for 2050, Chan is committed to co-designing with the community in this new role.

Chan’s own innovative practice showcases the type of inspiring urban solutions he hopes to engage the community with: From co-living affordable housing to solve homelessness in Sydney and smart infrastructure to address food security in Milan, to the circular economy in refugee camps to upcycle plastic waste into 3D-printed construction elements in Athens.

To hear Chan discuss how architecture and the design sector are vital to tackling both climate and social change on Talking A&D, click here.