Environmental Planning – City futures

Joe Hurley

Lecturer, Global Studies, Social Science and Planning

RMIT University 2

Cities at the centre of human futures

Population:1947: 1.3m2010: 4.1m

Population Pressures

RMIT University 3

Urban Expansion

Cities at the centre of human futures

RMIT University 4

Urban Consolidation

Cities at the centre of human futures

RMIT University 5

Housing Provision

Cities at the centre of human futures

RMIT University 6

Transport Provision

Cities at the centre of human futures

RMIT University 7

Spatial Disadvantage

Cities at the centre of human futures

RMIT University 8

Urban ConsumptionUrban Pollution

Cities at the centre of human futures

RMIT University 9

(WWF, 2004;2006)

Australian Average 7.6 gha/person

Fair Earth share 1.8 gha/person

Ecological Impact

Cities at the centre of human futures

RMIT University 10

Aim to engage secondary students in city futures

RMIT University 11

• We need to find the engaged, intelligent and motivated individuals who can take on these challenges

• There is a shortage of graduates from undergraduate programs equipped to take on these challenges

• In short … we have fantastic opportunities for your students!

Aim to engage secondary students in city futures

RMIT University 12

Environment, Planning and Sustainability Program @ RMIT University

• Engaged in teaching and research

• Offer a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs engaging with the challenges faced by cities

• Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (4 yrs)

– Accredited by Planning Institute of Australia

– Leads to a career in urban planning, urban design, urban policy and management

– Strong demand throughout Australia, and highly transferable to international contexts

• Bachelor of Social Science (Environment) (3 yrs)

– Leads to a career in environmental policy and management

– Strong demand in government, growing demand in industry

RMIT University 13

Urban Futures Awards 2011

Third Place:

Stephanie Gowans and Cody James

St Leonard's College

Stephanie and Cody focus on the issues of rising electricity consumption and its impact on climate change.

They argued for an increased government focus on sustainable energy sources; but also the need for behaviour change in our use of electricity.

The world is brighter when the lights are off!

RMIT University 14

Urban Futures Awards 2011

Second Place:

Mizna Shahbaz

MacRobertson Girls High School

Mizna examines the issue of green roofing in urban contexts.

She highlights the social and environmental benefits they provide, including stormwater reduction, reduced urban heat island effects, and amenity, and argues for more extensive use of green roofs in cities.

RMIT University 15

Urban Futures Awards 2011

Winner 2011:

Grant Trewella

Epping Secondary College

Grant focuses on mass transit systems, and in particular the important issue of passenger amenity.

He highlights the disincentive to use public transport that results from poorly designed and maintained public facilities.

Grant proposes urban design solutions that create public transport waiting areas that are welcoming and interesting, as well as being functional.