Earthships are really quite something. The concept grew from the desert of New Mexico, where then-architect (now “biotect”) Michael Reynolds began experimenting with “radically sustainable” architecture. It’s radical in that it is entirely self-sustaining, including grey and black water reuse, which nourishes plant life of sufficient quantity to feed the household. Without going to [...]
Planning Minister Brad Hazzard’s first 100 days in office have been an eventful time for the planning and development sector. The State Department has seen a merger of plannning and infrastructure functions and a renaming along those lines. Major legislative instruments have been overturned or dramatically amended. Arguably the most high profile (and controversial) of [...]
An inspiring story which has come about through Taronga Zoo’s Green Grants program… it goes something like this: Step one: Take one McMansion Step two: Deconstruct it Step three: Reuse the building materials to build a bunch of smaller, eco-friendly homes on the site. This wonderful Reincarnated McMansion concept by architect and artist Mathieu Gallois [...]
Having spent the last few years working primarily at the level of strategic policy-making and analysis, I’ve lately also been going back to my professional roots through some projects at the urban planning “coalface,” if you will. Affordable housing delivery is a core focus of this work, as well as a deep passion of mine. Living [...]
‘The deep association that people have for place constitutes a vital source of both individual and cultural identity and security and acts as a point from which humans can orientate themselves in the world.” (Relph, E., 1981, The Modern Urban Landscape, p.27) Urbanisation. Historically the product of the industrial revolution and the associated mass in-migration [...]
Urban Affect provides a range of research and advisory services in the urban sustainability and social policy sphere. We specialise in evidence-based policy analysis and development, stakeholder engagement and qualitative research approaches. We have particular expertise in the following areas: Social planning and social policy Social research Social sustainability advisory Urban planning and urban policy [...]
