The Urban Design Association NSW constitution states, 

The Urban Design Association NSW seeks to advance urban design as a profession through a range of activities including: 

1. (a) To facilitate, stimulate and encourage debate and interest in urban design 

2. (b) To provide urban designers with a collective voice in the industry and foster networks which build resilience, peer support and career pathways 

3. (c) To seek out and collaborate with other groups, associations and individuals similarly interested in the promotion of excellence in urban design 

4. (d) To provide a platform for professional research, discourse and thought leadership and to conduct conferences, seminars and events from time to time 

5. (e) To document competencies, improve education and offer a recognition pathway 

6. (f) To advocate for the role of urban design, good urbanism and the continual improvement of the built environment 

In accordance with the UDA’s mission to advance the profession of urban design, this document sets out the capabilities across the full spectrum of urban designers practising in a range of roles and industry sectors. This is a foundational, strategy document to underpin UDA activities. 

Urban designers have historically been in a contested occupational space with various interpretations derived from other disciplinary frameworks. This document is another step in advancing the profession of urban design as a separate and equivalent discipline to architecture, planning and landscape architecture, all contributing to a better built environment.