Adapting building designs for climate change is about managing the unavoidable. While there is debate around what level of adaptation is needed, there is growing awareness that design practices need to take into account predictions of increased risk ...

During the twentieth century the earth warmed by about 0.6°C, primarily due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Consequent to this were changes to the characteristics of climatic patterns all over the earth that can be linked ...

In Australia, heatwaves are the deadliest natural hazard and a major driver of peak electricity demand and blackouts. Heatwaves are exacerbated by urban heat island effects in cities, and becoming more common due to climate change. Keeping ...

Bushfire has long been a part of Australian landscape ecology and mythology, but climate change is now driving an increase in fire emergencies and a greater regulatory response. There are new levels of bushfire frequency, severity and ...

The note describes a new procedure for Land Resource Assessment (LRA).  It uses Multi-Criteria Evaluation methods (MCE) in a Geographic Systems (GIS) environment. As an example, the LRA method is applied in determining land suitability for ...

Lend Lease is the largest developer of urban communities in Australia, operating in nine major population centres, with over twenty projects ranging from large-scale master planned communities in the outer suburbs to high-rise mixed use projects in ...

While continual change and evolution has been an enduring characteristic of the Australian city, the magnitude, speed and complexity of the emerging population and environmental pressures are challenging the models and methodologies that have ...

This note was reviewed and approved for currency in November 2018. While architects and planners don’t seek to disadvantage communities, the incremental impacts of the way towns and cities are designed is having exactly that effect when it comes to ...

'Sustainable Urbanism' encompasses Australian urban design and transportation practices that seek to create vibrant, liveable communities.  This approach proposes the creation of compact, walkable communities centred around high quality public ...

As Australia faces a number of challenges, including water shortages, rising fuel costs, expanding population and insufficient land, resources and services to support it in a sustainable manner, there is a growing need to address these issues, adapt ...