After twenty years sharing the helm at publishing house Wakefield Press I moved on to pursue my passion for culturally informed urban and regional planning. 

I am interested in how planning can harness and enhance the 'core drivers' of a city or region – culture and commerce.

 These interests are reflected in my role as Project Consultant to the bid for UNESCO World Heritage listing of the agricultural landscapes of the Mount Lofty Ranges, based on South Australia’s unique settlement history. I sit on the the Adelaide Park Lands Authority, and a number of local government development assessment panels. I also write for a number of publications including a+u, Historic Environment, Australian Garden History, The Adelaide Review, SA Life and Fleurieu Living Magazine. 

I have an undergraduate degree in Architectural Studies and a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning. My strengths and experience lie in strategic thinking across specialist disciplines, in bringing cultural, historical and community perspectives to large and small-scale projects, and in communications and stakeholder engagement. My research interests include South Australian planning history, peri-urban policy making in Australia, the UK, Spain and Canada, planning in the context of the economic capitalisation of cultural and heritage assets, and integrated planning at the landscape or regional level. 

 My personal interests include listening to the Brazilian, jazz and blues music that my husband plays; reading books; speaking French and Japanese languages; walking, cycling and travel; fabric design and dressmaking; snow skiing, swimming and having fun with my 21 year-old son. Stephanie Johnston is the project Manager for the Mount Lofty Ranges World Heritage Bid which is pursuing Unesco listing of the agricultural landscapes that surround Adelaide based on South Australia’s unique colonial history. A former book publisher turned urban and rural planner she Stephanie is interested in how good land use planning and design can harness and enhance the 'core drivers' of a city or region – culture and commerce.