One of Melbourne’s most respected and outspoken planning experts, Michael Buxton, has retired after a long career spanning academia, local and state government.

Professor Buxton was farewelled at RMIT University earlier this week, where he taught for two decades.

In that time, the city’s population ballooned by 1.5 million and hundreds of high-rise towers were stacked into the sky. As he put it: “It’s just a completely new city”.

He spent ten years prior lecturing at Monash University, and another 12 years in the public service, including at the Environment Protection Authority.

The revered academic taught thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to work in government, consulting groups and not-for-profits.

“They’re a fascinating lot,” he said, before adding, “I wish more had gone into politics and senior management.”

It’s not surprising given influencing local policy was always at the heart of his work. “Just how much notice is being taken of [research papers] is another matter.”

He bows out of the job after years of criticising what he views as disastrous planning decisions made by successive governments. In 2013, he notably dubbed then-planning minister Matthew Guy “Mr Skyscraper”.

“People have lost control of their city to the development industry and government acting on behalf of vested interests instead of the voter,” he said this week.

“It’s been incredibly disappointing to see how public policy has been subverted toward achieving private gain at the public expense.

“It’s terribly hard to interrupt that process when the property industry has such incredible power.”

He often spoke about the need to increase the density of development in a way that respected heritage and rejected high-rise towers.

“I’ve never met anyone — outside of the construction industry — that likes what’s happening to our city,” he said.

“That’s been the hardest thing to see; the progressive deterioration of the Melbourne built environment.”

Robin Goodman, the Dean of the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, said Professor Buxton was well known for his pithy commentary.

She described him as an engaged intellectual who regularly contributed to public debate, and dedicated much of his time to public speaking engagements.

“Many involved a considerable amount of travel — some more so than was necessary, such as when he mixed up Ballan and Wallan and went to the wrong town.”

He officially retired in March on his 73rd birthday, but will remain at the university in an honorary position.

“So this means he will continue to research, give presentations, and be quoted in the media about the latest planning disaster, for many years to come,” Professor Goodman said.

With his free time, Professor Buxton said he plans to relearn piano and Latin. “If I can find a teacher that will have me.”