Architecture, Building and Planning - Theses
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ItemLives & legacies : exceptional Australian garden-makers of the 20th century(University of Melbourne, 2009)The proposition presented in this thesis, is that in order to examine the various influences on garden-making in Australia during the 1900s, it is important to include a breadth of writers and practitioners. Through the 1900s, garden-making progressed through exciting and interesting phases, often dictated to by international and national events of significance, such as wars, drought and fluctuating levels of affluence. Numerous creative individuals responded to the prevailing circumstances by promoting their particular interpretation of what 'a garden' was. Only a few have had their activities recorded. The promotion of these 'few' has presented a narrow view of garden-making in Australia during this time. A number of methods have been adopted for this study in order to determine which individuals would be included. Once the individuals to be discussed were determined, they were collated into four themes according to the particular era in which they operated and their philosophical approach. This thematic representation depicts various facets of garden-making that occurred within the period under discussion. The study identifies a variety of influences that shaped an individual's work; it explores how they subsequently exerted their own influence and any legacy that may be attributed to them. The study concludes that many individuals, rather than a select few, contributed to a rich and highly diverse history of garden-making in the 20th century. These creative visionaries and pioneers established a legacy that is of particular importance to Australians. This contribution to current knowledge improves our understanding of why and how we have gardened in the past. In turn, this informs the creation of a practical and philosophical framework towards garden-making into the future
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ItemPerceptions of the visual effects of prescribed burning regimens in the context of botanical gardens: Studies in Australia and Chile(University of Melbourne, 2009)This thesis investigated how people perceive the visual impact of prescribed burning regimes on remnants of indigenous ecosystems at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne (RBGC), Australia. Due to a desire to improve the conservation of biodiversity and develop more positive educational experiences and people-plants relationships an increasing number of new plant displays can be observed in various botanical gardens around the world (loner 2007; Oldfield 2007). These include ecosystems subjected to the effects of natural disturbances, such as fire, either natural or manmade. The visual and ecological consequences of controlled fires in botanical gardens can create a landscape mosaic of both burnt and unburnt areas which are under constant flux. Theories and previous studies undertaken in the context of botanical gardens (Neilson 1985; Schroeder 1991; Ballantyne et al. 2008), changing landscapes with focus on fire-prone environments (Anderson et al. 1982; Taylor and Daniel 1984; Ryan 2007), and more naturalistic and dynamic representations of nature (Kaplan & Kaplan 1989; Gobster 1995; Appleton 1996; Nassauer 1995b; 1997) suggested that people's perceptions of these newer and dynamic exhibits can vary in respect to the physical attributes of the landscape, the visual effects of landscape change, characteristics of the perceiver and the landscape meanings that can arise from the experience of such environments. The objective of this thesis, therefore, was to explore how these aspects interact and to understand how people perceive the landscape changes that occur in botanical gardens subjected to controlled fires, as either unsightly representation of nature or as part of natural processes essential for the development of natural systems. The study was limited to two areas where botanical gardens display collections where fire plays a role. These are Victoria, Australia (where the RBGC is located) and Central Chile, both of which are subjected to wildfires and controlled burns for, different purposes and with different effects. The methodology evolved from various landscape assessment models and landscape documentation techniques. Content and statistical analysis methods were combined to create a mixed-method approach, specific to . the research goals. In short, the methodology consisted of repeatedly photographing remnants of indigenous ecosystems at the RBGC, Australia, before and after prescribed burnings and using these photos for interviewing people from Australia and Chile. The interviewees were experts and non experts in fire practices and have different degrees of familiarity with the study site. Data collected was analysed using various descriptive statistics, content and multivariate analysis techniques and correlation analysis to explore relationships between verbal descriptions and preferences for landscapes. Findings, therefore, were based on advanced landscape categorizations that allowed the relationships between landscape characteristics that change over time, characteristics of fire management practices, landscape meanings, landscape preferences and sample groups to be explored. Perceptions of burnt and regenerating landscapes were found to vary along characteristics of fire (fire intensity) and landscape characteristics (evidence of fire, colour, complexity, legibility, openness of landscape and beauty) associated with 13 landscape dimensions (hot burn/cold bum, burnt/unburnt, dead/alive, dull/colourful, plain/contrasting, rusty coloured/green, achromatic/chromatic, useless/useful, shallow/deep view, messy/neat, common/distinct, close/open, ugly/beautiful). People's knowledge about fire practices (experts vs. lay respondents) and familiarity with fire dependant environments (Australian vs. Chileans) impacted people's responses as well. The analysis of the interrelationships between these variables suggested that the different fire intensities - hot, moderate and cold - undoubtedly influence people's perceptions of landscapes over time. Overall, the effects of moderate and hot fires increased landscape preferences over time. In addition, it was found that people's aesthetic responses were in line with ecological values over time. Healthier landscapes that provide habitat, are in the process of re-growth and are productive, received the highest scores. It was found that the characteristics of healthier landscapes (e.g. semi-open scenes, brighter and contrasting colours and moderate complexity) are more preferred by people regardless of their previous knowledge and experiences of those landscapes. Both the most and least preferred settings convey different meanings, mostly depending on peoples' expertise of landscape management practices, their familiarity with landscapes that naturally look burnt and cultural differences. Based on these findings, suggestions for the design and management of botanical gardens and considerations in the design of future fire landscape policies were made. In summary, the findings of this thesis add to the understanding of people's perceptions of landscape change in a fire-prone context. The research revealed responses to burnt landscapes and discussed their influence on preferences and landscape meanings. Particularly in the context of botanical gardens, the findings contribute to the limited literature that informs us of people's perceptions of changing and dynamic plant displays as tools of communication about nature. Overall, this research contributes to the literature in relation to research on social responses to fire, botanical gardens and perception of ecological landscape change
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ItemThe use of the grid system and diagonal line in Chineses architecture murals : a study of the 14th century Yongle gong temple with further analyses of two earlier examples, Prince Yide's tomb and Yan shan si temple(University of Melbourne, 2009)Yongle gong is a Daoist temple built between the middle of the 13th century to the end of the 14th century in Shanxi province, China. The temple features both figural and architectural mural paintings. The figural paintings are among the most highly regarded examples in China. Conversely, the architectural paintings have scarcely attracted any scholarly attention so far. To understand the depiction methods used in the architectural paintings of Yongle gong, this analysis aims at approaching the design and depiction process from the artist's point of view. Therefore, painting principles from ancient Chinese texts are studied. Two particularly relevant principles were identified: Jing ging wei zhi (graphic composition) and Xiang bei (the three-dimensionality of buildings). Two methods seem critical for the implementation of these principles, namely Hua ge or Fang zhuo referring to the use of the grid system, and Yi qu bai xie and Yi xie bai sui referring to the use of diagonal lines. Yet their original meanings and graphic expression have not been subjected to thorough analysis. The methodology of this study will be to use the painting principles and their methods of depiction as a framework for an empirical graphic investigation of architectural mural case studies. It is expected that the understanding resulting from these analyses will clarify the meanings of those painting principles and exemplify their depiction methods. Three research questions guide this thesis: 1. How were architectural murals composed graphically? 2. How were diagonal lines used in architectural murals? 3. How can the meaning of Jing ying wei zhi, Xiang bei, Hua ge, Yi qu bai xie and Yi xie bai sui be interpreted in relation to architectural murals? This study of Yongle gong's architectural paintings investigates how the grid system was used for the murals' overall design and how diagonal lines were employed to depict the three-dimensionality of buildings. The findings in Yongle gong's architectural murals are then tested against the depictions of the murals of Prince Yide's tomb (8th century) and those of Van shan si temple (12th century). These tests confirm the meaning of the term Jing ying wei zhi and the relevance of the grid system, Hua ge or Fang zhuo, for the mural layout. The term Xiang bei refers to the illustration of the three-dimensionality of buildings and relates to the use of elevations and diagonal lines. Its division into Yi xie bai sui and Yi qu bai xie is studied in relation to the use of parallel and converging lines. Key words: Yongle gong; tomb of Prince Yide; Van shan si; Jing ying wei zhi; Xiang bei; Hua ge; Fang zhuo; Yi qu bai xie; Yi xie bai sui
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ItemA framework for efficient risk allocation in public-private partnership projects using neuro-fuzzy techniques(University of Melbourne, 2009)
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ItemDistorted communication : the struggle of squatter settlements along the Surabaya riverbank(University of Melbourne, 2009)
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ItemJohn James Clark : public architect in Australia 1852-1915(University of Melbourne, 2009)
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ItemIn search of Hanoi's sense of place : the influences of local culture on architecture(University of Melbourne, 2009)
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ItemThe effects of energy efficient design and indoor envirnomental quality in new office buildings(University of Melbourne, 2009)
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ItemIranian modernity: its expression in the daily life of public spaces in Tehran( 2009)The thesis investigates how modernity is manifest in the public spaces of post-Revolutionary Tehran. Contemporary everyday life and interactions were investigated in three types of public spaces (park, street, square) in suburban and urban areas that had been developed during the two periods of modernization associated with the two Pahlavi reigns and after the Revolution. Modernization and modernity are explored as they relate to cities, public spaces and everyday life. First the effects of different stages of modernization on social and spatial structures in European and north-American cities are investigated including changing community relations and the division of cities into the urban and suburban realms. The way public spaces are transformed from places of socialization to realms of spectacle, commodity and control via different planning ideas are also considered, along with the relative lack of theory on suburban environments and parks. Theories that focus on the way different ways in which public spaces are regulated by physical, institutional and socio-cultural frames and how users respond and resist these through their everyday life practices and interactions by using different tactics and the activity of walking provide a particular focus. After reviewing the literature and Tehran's socio-spatial transformation since its connection to the global economy in the pre- and post-Revolutionary periods, a theoretical framework is established that weaves together concepts from cultural studies, environmental-behaviour, psychology, sociology and structural and post-structural theory. A case study method is then applied, using that framework to provide the criteria for evaluation, contrasting and comparing the three types of spaces (streets, squares and parks) in central city areas and a middle class suburb designed by French consultants in 1951. The findings suggest that daily interactions in both contexts are framed by regulations and rationalities that differ from the forces of instrumental rationality, surveillance and commodification described in the literature of modernity and everyday life. Different groups defined across lines of age, gender and access to power, use different tactics to negotiate space. The provision of a diverse range of user settings supports an equally diverse range of uses and demographics with interaction mediated spatially by behaviour settings, policing, temporal negotiation and the practice of civility. The dichotomies that are prevalent in the literature such as the urban/suburban appeared less significant here, as both contexts have experienced increasing intensification, commodification and migration. Differences between the two contexts were however, revealed in terms of: 1 - Communal activities and neighbourhood identity, with these more strongly manifest in the suburban cases; 2 - Major users/walkers and rhythms of activities, with more females, elderly and youths observed interacting in the suburban cases; 3 - Parks support deeper levels of interaction amongst users and a greater variety of uses than streets and squares which are the focus of flanerie activity. Although they use a rational design, the spaces in the suburban site designed by the French planners using a combination of urban typologies (parks, squares and boulevards), have been remarkably resilient/robust through time. They provide spaces of local meaning and encourage more traditional forms of activity, association and civility in a non-traditional urban environment by including traditional forms and elements such cul-de-sacs. Rather than the predicted displacement or replacement that accompanies modernisation, the co-existence of modern and local traditions was evident here, suggesting an evolving form of specifically 'Iranian' modernity. The findings also reveal a city of social complexity that differs from the simplified image projected by global geo-politics. Everyday life practices, apparently based on both resistance to and communication of both local and global culture, accommodate the paradoxes embedded in the juxtaposition of Iranian, Islamic and modern culture.
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ItemPublic perceptions of Victorian freshwater wetlands: preference, health and cultural sustainability( 2009)Victorian freshwater wetlands are managed for ecological values. However, successful management depends also on positive public attitudes and perceptions, of which little is known. Wetlands must be culturally sustainable, whereby ecologically healthy wetlands are found attractive and preferred. It is a common belief that wetlands are perceived negatively, despite the presence of water and trees, known to favour preference. Meaning might be an important influence on preference, mediated by the biophysical attributes of a wetland and cultural and personal attitudes. Familiarity might also be important, favouring appreciation with a cognitive aesthetic that includes health as a landscape attribute. Therefore, public perceptions of Victorian freshwater wetlands were studied, including wetland meanings and values and attitudes towards them, relationships between wetland preferences and ecological health, and the influence of familiarity. From these studies, the cultural sustainability of the wetlands was inferred. Management and design guidelines were then developed to enhance cultural sustainability of wetlands to complement their management for ecological sustainability. The project comprised three inter-related studies. Within a landscape assessment framework, adopting a transactional perspective, mixed methods were applied to study objective biophysical attributes of the wetlands and subjective perceptually mediated attributes, or connotative constructs. Using photographic surrogates as stimuli, similarity photo-sorting, open-ended interviews and rating tasks generated numeric and categorical data, which were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively by content analysis and various statistical techniques. Data-reduction analyses, such as factor analysis, cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling, simplified the rich data set, and categorical principal component analysis with optimal scaling graphically displayed the relationships between perception, preference and health and underlying perceptual constructs. Victorian freshwater wetlands were not perceived as an homogeneous group but rather as distinct categories. Meaning lay in the amount of water visible, the presence of trees, water quality and habitat value. Associated values were predominantly ecologistic-scientific and aesthetic, and attitudes were predominantly positive. Preference for wetlands was generally high, influenced by water visibility, presence of trees, and health, which was indicated by water quality and vegetation lushness, and by complexity and orderliness. It increased with increased familiarity. Although preference varied between the five preferential categories, only preferences between ‘dry wetlands’, ‘open wetlands’ and ‘treed wetlands’ differed significantly. From these results, it was concluded that Victorian freshwater wetlands can be culturally sustainable, whereby ecological and aesthetic values converge. A cognitive aesthetic seemed to operate in the appreciation of wetlands, in which health is important. Managers and designers can draw on the aesthetically relevant attributes to produce ecologically sustainable wetlands that meet aesthetic preferences. They can also implement education programs to enhance familiarity, for knowledge can change preferences.