Architecture, Building and Planning - Research Publications
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ItemEBD: Ecological Business District(VEIL, 2010)New mixed-use developments present a unique opportunity for an innovative response to the challenge of climate change. We can now build new communities that demonstrate ways of living within the limits for greenhouse gas production proposed for 2050. Such communities can model desirable low-carbon lifestyles – ways of living better while consuming less – and test innovative products and services that could form the basis of our coming low-carbon economy. The EBD [Ecological Business District] is a design vision from the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL). VEIL was established in 2006, funded through the Victorian Government Sustainability Fund. A collaboration of four leading design universities and a network of design professionals, VEIL forms an ‘open laboratory’ for new ideas for technical and social innovation for a ‘lowcarbon’ economy and a resilient infrastructure. VEIL delivers future concepts and prototypes for goods, services, built infrastructure, systems and lifestyles, for a sustainable Melbourne in 25 years time. This six-month EBD project, for the site known as ‘E-Gate’ (between Docklands and North Melbourne), culminated in a substantial exhibition of work in the Docklands in February 2009. That vision, for a new high-density ‘eco-city’ next to the CBD, can claim considerable influence on the direction in which development of that site is now taking. In the words of Minister Tim Pallas (Roads, Ports and Major Projects) at the opening of the EBD exhibition: “…What could be done with this new land? This is where projects such as Eco City have great value. All good strategic planning begins with a discussion and I, for one, believe that this dialogue is always improved by the number of intelligent voices involved. In this case we have a brains trust of students and academics from four leading universities, as well as local and international experts generating some very exciting ideas…[VEIL’s] ideas will have a real influence on the site’s future.” This booklet lays out the vision for this innovative and experimental ‘city within a city’, with design work across a range of scales from the urban to the domestic that are able to support a diverse, low consumption, highly productive and truly sustainable community.
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ItemVision: Broadmeadows 2032(VEIL, 2010)Over the coming decades we will face significant increases in the price of oil, a price on carbon, greater variability in weather patterns (e.g. rainfall) and a probable increase in extreme weather events. How do Australian cities and communities respond to these changes? One of the great challenges for the design of Australian cities is the re-visioning and retro-fitting of the existing low-density suburban fabric, the principal urban form of greater Melbourne and many Australian cities. How do we transform these locations into resilient low-carbon neighbourhoods and precincts, which are healthy to live in and support local employment and industry with appropriate provision of food, water, energy and transport? This design research and visioning project, Eco-Acupuncture 2010: Broadmeadows 2032, is the most ambitious project yet to be undertaken by VEIL. It has involved a review of the large body of work from the earlier EBD (Ecological Business District) project and exploring ways in which it could be used as a guide to ‘re-vision’ – and progressively transform – an existing urban precinct in Melbourne. It has involved all areas of design and sustainable development – from the built environment to services, public infrastructure, new businesses and the provision of resources.