Architectural Design Making a Positive Impact on Sustainability in your Liveable City

If you are faced with the question; “Are you part of a liveable city”, would you know how to answer? Many would consider any city that they live in as a liveable city, but what does that really mean? The answer revolves around a few simple words that some of us are well versed with, while others are not. – sustainability, conservation, environmentally friendly, eco-friendly and carbon friendly (to name a few). Creating a more liveable city comes down to several factors, beginning with residential and commercial designs that offer sustainable features. Modern technology is now proving that there are …

Read the full article

Living Pods and Naturescapes: Transforming Residential Areas into Sustainable Living Environments

As an Architect, I’m able to see a bird’s eye view of trends in design. A significant movement that continues to expand in our consciousness, is how to create a sustainable world (for ourselves and generations to come) amidst an expanding population and increasing use of natural resources. Now more than ever, we see people responding to this challenge. We are re-discovering our fundamental connection with the earth and with each other and communities are being created around environments where food, nature and aesthetics are re-united. My own work on “Living Pods”, a term I use to relate to home …

Read the full article

Sustainable living put to the test in Bondor-QUT study partnership

Sustainable housing is increasingly sought-after by Australians – but how effective are current strategies and products used in sustainable construction? A study, which sees Queensland University of Technology (QUT) team up with Bondor, aims to find out. Residential homes in each state constructed using Bondor’s innovative InsulLiving® building products, InsulWall® and SolarSpan®, will be monitored over an extended period of time to evaluate how Bondor’s high performance thermal building system meets the needs of the residents in relation to both energy cost savings and comfort. QUT’s Dr Wendy Miller and Bondor have been working closely since 2009 when Bondor first …

Read the full article

Sustainability: Are We Winning?

Peter Newman | TEDxPerth Most sustainability talks are about the doom and despair associated with climate change. In his talk, Peter Newman compiles recent trends to show the hope that we could perhaps change enough to meet the global challenges, especially in our cities. Decoupling fossil fuels from wealth and liveability can now be seen with peak fossil fuel investment, peak power consumption, peak car use and peak oil. Peter is the Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and Director of CUSP. He is a Lead Author for Transport on the IPCC and was a member of the Advisory Council …

Read the full article

Urban Farming Is Growing a Green Future

With seven billion mouths to feed, human agriculture exerts a tremendous toll on the planet, from water draws to pollution, and from energy use to habitat loss. But there is also a growing set of solutions, from organic agriculture to integrated pest management. More people around the world are taking a look at urban farming, which offers to make our food as “local” as possible. By growing what we need near where we live, we decrease the “food miles” associated with long-distance transportation. We also get the freshest produce money can buy, and we are encouraged to eat in season…more here Urban Farming Is Growing …

Read the full article

Refuel CPD Provider – 4 Informal CPD Points

The Australian Institute of Architects has accredited the 7th Making Cities Liveable Conference as an official Refuel CPD Provider with a total of 4 Informal CPD Points. Continuing Professional Development is a great initiative that enhances the professional knowledge and personal skills needed for the advancement of architecture, society and the environment. The conference program will provide participants with valuable information on the liveability of our cities and towns in the future and the changes required to public policy to build the communities of tomorrow. The program includes multiple streams with 70+ presenters, poster presentations, 4 informative workshops and 2 study tours. Delegate will receive access …

Read the full article

7th Making Cities Liveable Conference 2014

Healthy – Sustainable – Resilient – Cities The 7th Making Cities Liveable Conference will examine the challenges, opportunities, trends and issues currently facing sector professionals. Delegates and presenters will examine how to plan for Healthy Cities, Sustainable Cities and Resilient Cities. Join us at Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff on the NSW and QLD border on the 10th – 11th July 2014.  Pre-conference workshops and study tours will held on Wednesday the 9th July. The conference will be a platform for government, academic  and private sector practitioners.  It will consider the “liveability” of our cities and towns in the future …

Read the full article