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.