Strategy - Social Impact - Resilience
Vaere SocialPeople-first planning for a changing world.
We believe places should be designed for real people with real needs. Vaere Social brings deep expertise in social planning, research, and policy advisory to help shape more inclusive, resilient, and connected communities.
Founded by Liesl Codrington, Vaere Social brings over 20 years of experience in social impact, urban planning, and demographic analysis—helping shape communities that are resilient, inclusive, and ready for change. We work with governments, councils, developers, and organisations to ensure people and place remain central as we respond to climate, demographic, and social shifts.
Our expertise spans assessing future social infrastructure needs, conducting robust social impact assessments, advising on social sustainability and climate adaptation, and designing neurodivergent-inclusive public spaces.
We connect high-level policy with the lived experience of communities—grounding development in real-world insight to support places that endure and thrive.
What we do
We help shape communities that are inclusive, resilient, and ready for change. Our work spans social impact assessment, policy advice, research, and inclusive planning—ensuring people are not just considered, but prioritised in the way we plan, design and govern places.
From navigating complex developments to advising on climate adaptation and social infrastructure, we bring deep expertise in delivering strategic, evidence-based insights that inform both planning approvals and long-term investment decisions.
Who we work with
We partner with government agencies, local councils, infrastructure providers, developers, and planning firms who are committed to delivering places that support wellbeing, equity, and long-term resilience.
Whether embedded in multi-disciplinary project teams or providing independent advice, we bring a collaborative, strategic mindset and a proven ability to facilitate alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
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We support the design of socially sustainable, climate-aware communities that can adapt to change and withstand future shocks. Our work helps governments, councils, developers, and infrastructure providers embed resilience into policy, place design, and service delivery—so communities not only function, but thrive.
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Whether at the strategic planning stage or in support of development approvals, we help clients meet regulatory requirements while also ensuring projects contribute to long-term social value. Our approach considers how places function socially—day-to-day and over time—and how design, infrastructure and policy can be shaped to create meaningful, lasting impact.
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We deliver research-backed insights and analysis to support policy development and review. From aged care provision to inclusive urban planning, our policy services guide effective, aligned decision-making for both government and private sector clients.
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Understanding a population's unique characteristics and service needs is crucial for effective social policy. Our assessments offer in-depth insights into demographics, service gaps, and the needs of diverse populations, such as neurodivergent individuals and ageing communities.
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We advocate for inclusive design practices, urban spaces and workplaces. We provide bespoke and tailored advice on ensuring your development and engagement process is neurodivergent friendly.
Why choose Vaere Social?
We excel in navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments—facilitating constructive dialogue between government, industry, and communities. Our approach balances strategic clarity with empathy, helping to surface shared goals even where perspectives diverge. This ability to broker diplomatic solutions under pressure is key to unlocking progress on socially and politically sensitive projects.
We take an evidence-based approach, using data-driven insights to shape more resilient, adaptable communities. Our work goes beyond compliance—we deliver strategic, future-focused solutions that respond to social risk, climate change, and shifting demographics.
We champion inclusive design that ensures public spaces and infrastructure serve diverse populations under all conditions. By prioritising equity and accessibility, we help create environments that are not only welcoming and functional—but better equipped to support wellbeing through disruption and change.
With deep expertise across government, planning, and social policy, we understand the systemic nature of resilience. We navigate complex policy settings to translate research into outcomes that meet regulatory requirements and deliver lasting community value.
Most importantly, we bridge the gap between policy and people. Our approach ensures that lived experience informs decisions—leading to sustainable, community-led solutions that stand the test of time.
Recent insights
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What a lone tree can teach us about social sustainability
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The future of sustainable cities is social—here’s why
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The challenge of measuring what truly matters
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Another late diagnosis story - neurodiversity as a female leader
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Creating better places for people with neurodiversity
