Friday, December 18th, 2009
The AILA National Office has been informed of a range of stories on the implementation of the Commonwealth’s Stimulus Package for infrastructure as well as the school’s program.
We would like to gather together some of the feedback, positives and the other, on the roles of landscape architects in the processes as well as on the value of landscape being considered - and any and all other related matters or issues.
All this will be fed into our thinking for future national and state based advocacy.
All feedback appreciated.
Paul Costigan, Executive Director.
Posted by Administrator in AILA, General, Plants, climate change, education, environment, landscape principles, urban design | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
Clearly, it’s a special experience to come away from an exhibition feeling excited and that you have learnt something.
It’s even more so when the exhibition is a landscape students’ graduation exhibition!
It’s so exciting to see projects that amaze and challenge all of us.
Truly, there is not a shadow of doubt that these students will set a cracking pace in many directions for landscape architecture. These comments were prompted after I saw Switch 08, the University of Adelaide’s Masters of Landscape Architecture and Masters of Architecture exhibition.
Common Ground by Johnny McIntyre, proposes a new engagement process with aboriginal communities that considers how by listening, balancing opinions and being respectful, new planning and design outcomes can be achieved.
Breathing Space and Circulation of the Landscape by Amy Smith and Amelia Brereton, both deal with the plight of the Murray Lakes and the Coorong.
These projects consider how human intervention and engineering can be mediated through landscape design processes to create sustainable environments for the future.
Jason Avery’s Skinscape used the healing properties of the flesh as an intriguing metaphor for the repair of the scarred landscapes of regional Wallaroo.
International projects range from the redevelopment of Copenhagen harbour and the creation of new suburbs for Singapore to the islands of Hong Kong with Dandelion, Xin Xin Yu’s sensitive adaptation of Tai O Island through a study of seasonal changes that affect the environmental, social and cultural ebb and flow of the land.
Su Sien Wong proposed an exciting ‘exit strategy’ for the Royal Adelaide Hospital, while maintaining the vitality and urban fabric of the East End. Marion Chan challenged the conventional wisdom of the Adelaide Hills Face Zone in response to the current urban sprawl and future demand for housing in South Australia.
Adelaide 2018 by Alex Game, illustrated the potential for Adelaide to host the Commonwealth Games and how this event could be used a catalyst for the creation of a new urban context for the City. [I won’t offer any comment about the architectural students’ projects].
There is definitely something special happening amongst the landscape students at Adelaide Uni, and mention should be made of staff members: Tanya Court (Coordinator Landscape Architecture Program), Warwick Keats and Prof Nancy Pollock-Ellwand.
damien mugavin
Posted by Administrator in University of Adelaide, education, student project | No Comments »
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
A debate quietly surfaced last week in the Australian media following a media release from the Australian Institute of Architects (now AIA not RAIA as before in case you had not noticed).
Their comment seemed to be based on a re-badging of their previous Urban Design policy and a public announcement of its presence along with a statement attacking everyone about urban sprawl.
Unfortunately, given the tone of the statements, the AIA became the subject of the debate rather than the important topic they were attempting to raise (about urban sprawl that is, not their recycled policy).
There were two reports of the AIA comments, one in the Australian and another online.
The AILA has offered comment at times to various governments on the topic of the continual urban sprawl and the desire to seek improved design solutions for our urban environments.
The AILA is working for the longer term to have some National Landscape Principles taken up by all local governments within their urban design strategies and protocols.
This project on landscape principles will be the subject of consultations later this year and into next year as part of AILA’s Commonwealth funded Climate Change project.
Meanwhile we welcome comments from members on the topic of urban sprawl - or on any topic relating to urban design and landscape architects. also check the AILA news pages for other news
Posted by Administrator in AILA, climate change, environment, urban design | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
A recent call to landscape architects to give input to a journal about urban agriculture heightened the opportunity and responsibility we have to help feed a future low consumerism, highly urban world. Is there any one out there interested to being part of this.
I have a touch of permaculture in my veins and am keen to see the Victorian State Government’s program of “Food for all” be successful.
Ros
Posted by Administrator in AILA, General, environment | 4 Comments »