SymbioResort Update Feb 2017

Since the Australian Regional Development Conference was held in September 2016, QUT researchers have been busy working with the renowned resort master planner Mr Paul Ma on new regional tourism developments and refurbishments throughout Australia using the “SymbioResort” design techniques as outlined to delegates at the conference. A number of greenfield projects are being planned for Tasmania at Burnie and Bridestowe whilst the new owners of existing tourism resorts at Couran Cove and Kooralbyn are exploring the economic, social and environmental benefits of undertaking refurbishments using this new place-based design protocol to help breathe life back into these once dormant …

Read the full article

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: SHIFTING THE SILOS

In changing times, the pressure on community organisations to respond and adapt to the needs of families, children and communities is high. With traditional funding streams concurrently being reviewed, many agencies are feeling caught between the high demands of grass roots work with their client group and the need to spend more quality time developing partnerships and planning alternative models to accommodate the changing service system landscape. The Canopy, a growing multi-focus community organisation based in Lake Macquarie NSW, had existed for 23 years as a small family support agency with 4 staff.  Where agencies had traditionally collaborated with a …

Read the full article

THE ROLE OF URBAN RESERVES IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABIILITY

THE ROLE OF URBAN RESERVES IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE PORTLAND, OREGON METROPOLITAN REGION By Edward J. Sullivan, Adjunct Professor of Urban Studies and Planning Portland State University Oregon has developed a unique comprehensive urban growth strategy.  Rural areas are separated from urban areas by an urban growth boundary (UGB) concentrating most urban uses within the boundary and fostering policies to provide urban levels of facilities and services, as wells as varying use intensities for residential, industrial, employment, recreational and commercial uses.  The UGB encompasses existing and anticipated urban uses over a rolling 20-year period.  Expansion of the UGB requires extensive …

Read the full article

Business signage: one sign, multiple perspectives.

Dr. Mandy Rudge, Senior Lecturer, Ideaschool, Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Taradale, Aotearoa / New Zealand In 2012 and in 2015, a group of researchers surveyed a sample of business signage in 43 North island communities and 10 communities in the South island of Aotearoa / New Zealand. It was in the process of gathering, analysing and contextualising this data that I (one of the researchers) became aware of the varied and diverse ways that people view business signage. For graphic designers it is vital that commercial signage is detectable, conspicuous, legible and comprehensible (Signage Foundation, 2012) but it should …

Read the full article

Innovation Comes In Many Forms

Innovation comes in many forms, all of which can give you a competitive edge in the marketplace.  It is therefore important to at least consider protecting your innovations, both to prevent others from gaining any advantage from them, but also to facilitate subsequent negotiations and licenses with third parties. Three forms of IP rights are often used to protect innovations – patents, trade marks and registered designs.  Patents protect how a product functions, whist registered designs protect its “look” and trade marks protect the brand used to sell it.  It is often important to lodge IP rights at IP Australia …

Read the full article

How can branding make a city smart?

Branding done correctly – combining research, strategy, creativity and long-term investment – can create a sense of belonging for a community and deliver long-lasting results and economic benefits. The new city centre for Maroochydore by SunCentral, a corporation set up by the Sunshine Coast Council, shows how such branding can introduce, promote and reinforce a smart city’s status. People link ‘smart cities’ to infrastructure  that collects, aggregates and uses data to improve quality of life but ‘smart’ also refers to being clever and agile, being able to care for citizens and their descendants and consistently high standards. Maroochydore is set …

Read the full article

Innovation Tools for Regional Entrepreneurs

By Brian Ruddle, Impact Innovation Group. Entrepreneurs in regional Australia often don’t have access to the services and support networks of their counterparts in capital cities and major centres. When starting out, city-based entrepreneurs get information and inspiration from co-working spaces, attending networking and pitch events, and generally participating in ecosystem activities. Over time, they can test their ideas out on others and get assistance with shaping their start-up ventures. In regional Australia, entrepreneurs have to work a bit smarter to access support. Let’s look at what a new entrepreneur does. They generally start with an idea they think will …

Read the full article

3D modelling for communicating urban revitalisation

Two years have now passed since City of Launceston finished constructing and began working with the 3D virtual model of Launceston running in Urban Engine software.  The final product has lived up to expectations as a tool for communicating urban revitalisation and more.  Since that time the model has grown in detail with the addition of Aero3DPro building model data, street scape design concepts, building proposals, future development buildings and massing models. Beyond the initial scope of supporting the Launceston City Heart project, the model has proven to be a practical tool for evaluating designs during planning meetings, allowing exploration …

Read the full article

The Future of Architects

How we will move between and around our Cities? I believe Architects in the future need to be more interested in what makes cities work rather than style individual buildings. That is certainly born out by the work of Weston Williamson which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. On looking to the future it is sensible to reflect on the past. As Steve Jobs said “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. “ I am an avid reader on the subject of ancient history, the Persians, the Ancient Greeks, the Egyptians. But I am particularly intrigued …

Read the full article

Shoalhaven Tourism: a new perspective

Shoalhaven City Council over the past two years has undertaken and number of initiatives to drive the domestic and international tourism economy in order to stay relevant in a fast changing industry. • Operator relationships: – A detailed survey of the local industry, identifying issues and what the community wanted – Staff spend time out in region visiting business – Regional forums and training partnerships • International tourism: – A joint partnership with a private company and DNSW to target the Chinese and Korean markets. This initiative has resulted in significant increases (40%+) in the number of tourists visiting from …

Read the full article