The aims of the research were to assess the influence of urban design on the Better Cities Program (BCP) and to explore and document the achievements of the Program in terms of urban design. This in turn led to the exploration of some 34 case studies of the BCP initiatives known as Area Strategies throughout Australia. The research outcomes provided an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Program�s objectives and processes in relation to urban design and prompted suggested options or modifications, which could enhance outcomes in future initiatives. The thesis is an overview of the Program�s genesis and procedures, including comment on economic, political and social concerns, and draws from this broad analysis the specific issues and outcomes related to urban design practice. It was perceived that whilst not centrally an urban design program the BCP fell short of known urban design principles that could reasonably be expected to be present, given that the achievement of better cities is dependent in large part on better urban design. To maintain a comprehensive overview and sense of continuity the research included urban design evaluations of two projects from the earlier Department of Urban and Regional Development (DURD) period. This was done in order to review the state of urban design at that time and to discover whether fresh insights and approaches may have occurred over the intervening 25 years. To structure the research, a number of interlinking methods were implemented. These included literature reviews, interviews, questionnaires and case studies of the Program�s projects - called Area Strategies - and their ranking through a matrix. Methods extended to a comparative analysis of the Program�s objectives with those of DURD. The Area Strategies were interrogated from three positions, namely: by evaluation of these initiatives based on an Empirical approach; by critical literature where available, but mostly from a more abundant source of descriptive literature and by expert opinion through many interviews, discussions and the Questionnaire responses. The methods were essential in order to collate, analyse and categorise the gathered information for the purpose of evaluation, summarising and framing of conclusions. Central to the thesis was the reliance on the �enduring strands�, being those essential and timehonoured fundamental elements of the urban fabric. These enduring strands became the evaluation tools of the case studies, and comprised the following: buildings and their groupings, the public domain, issues of safety and security, activities, conservation and heritage, the role of landscape, architectural responses to the environment, ecological responses, circulation, public art, social responses and management processes. The discipline of urban design as distinct from city planning and architecture, developed signifi- cantly during the second half of the twentieth century and it received Commonwealth recognition during the life of the Program through the publication of the findings of Prime Minister Keating�s Urban Design Task Force. The thesis compares the recommendations of the Task Force and those of the research and finds sufficient parallels to affirm that both endeavours share a common basis. It is not the role of the thesis to recommend an urban design policy for potential future programs, but it does point to the way urban design might be better integrated in such programs. This research provides support for the argument that if urban design concerns had occupied a more central position in the range of objectives of the Better Cities Program, then the outcomes would have been more satisfactory in many of the projects. With greater recognition of the critical contribution of urban design skills, outcomes of future programs of this nature could potentially be significantly enhanced.

This study analyzes the quantifiable impacts of low impact development features, sometimes referred to as green infrastructure, across three alternative proposals for the development of a city district along the edge of a lake and a creek. Low impact development is defined as a stormwater management approach designed to capture water before it goes into stormwater drains or directly into bodies of water in order to allow the water to infiltrate groundwater sources or evapotranspirtate back into the atmosphere. The study applies Carl Steinitz’s Framework for GeoDesign to the three alternative proposals and the existing conditions as a means of comparison in order to understand an informed decision based approach to design. / text

According to incomplete statistics, human desertification has become a huge risk of social problems and also a new focus of today’s social life. The government and residential gave efforts to find a way to solve that to avoid exacerbating the problem. According to the fact, back to earth, back to humanity, these always meet the demands of people. On this land, we have lost lot memories, and a lot about to be lost. Facing that, we could just chase it, make up, observe, and discover, till we pick up some pieces from the broken memories. Combine them on a piece of weathered gouache on paper, and then use the green to add vital principle, orange to outline the curves of memories, use balanced color to form the public space to make up the dimly face, create a new “Long Tang”. / published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

The global population is aging, and the rate of dementia is climbing. Although physical activity is thought to improve well-being, older adults often experience a decline in physical activity with age. This can be a result of physical and social barriers in their immediate environment, which can be exacerbated in winter. Through a photovoice study, interview, and a group presentation/discussion, this research aims to bring issues associated with aging-in-place with dementia into planning discussions. Findings from this research suggest snow and ice on sidewalks are significant barriers for individuals with dementia, and that intersections are distracting and confusing. Suggestions include creating opportunities for mental and physical stimulation (e.g. using color to increase distinctness), providing particular individual physical characteristics (e.g. reducing the number of curbs or painting curbs so they are more visible), improving wider urban design characteristics (e.g. maintaining a cleared sidewalk network), and increasing awareness in the community. / October 2015

The aims of the research were to assess the influence of urban design on the Better Cities Program (BCP) and to explore and document the achievements of the Program in terms of urban design. This in turn led to the exploration of some 34 case studies of the BCP initiatives known as Area Strategies throughout Australia. The research outcomes provided an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Program�s objectives and processes in relation to urban design and prompted suggested options or modifications, which could enhance outcomes in future initiatives. The thesis is an overview of the Program�s genesis and procedures, including comment on economic, political and social concerns, and draws from this broad analysis the specific issues and outcomes related to urban design practice. It was perceived that whilst not centrally an urban design program the BCP fell short of known urban design principles that could reasonably be expected to be present, given that the achievement of better cities is dependent in large part on better urban design. To maintain a comprehensive overview and sense of continuity the research included urban design evaluations of two projects from the earlier Department of Urban and Regional Development (DURD) period. This was done in order to review the state of urban design at that time and to discover whether fresh insights and approaches may have occurred over the intervening 25 years. To structure the research, a number of interlinking methods were implemented. These included literature reviews, interviews, questionnaires and case studies of the Program�s projects - called Area Strategies - and their ranking through a matrix. Methods extended to a comparative analysis of the Program�s objectives with those of DURD. The Area Strategies were interrogated from three positions, namely: by evaluation of these initiatives based on an Empirical approach; by critical literature where available, but mostly from a more abundant source of descriptive literature and by expert opinion through many interviews, discussions and the Questionnaire responses. The methods were essential in order to collate, analyse and categorise the gathered information for the purpose of evaluation, summarising and framing of conclusions. Central to the thesis was the reliance on the �enduring strands�, being those essential and timehonoured fundamental elements of the urban fabric. These enduring strands became the evaluation tools of the case studies, and comprised the following: buildings and their groupings, the public domain, issues of safety and security, activities, conservation and heritage, the role of landscape, architectural responses to the environment, ecological responses, circulation, public art, social responses and management processes. The discipline of urban design as distinct from city planning and architecture, developed signifi- cantly during the second half of the twentieth century and it received Commonwealth recognition during the life of the Program through the publication of the findings of Prime Minister Keating�s Urban Design Task Force. The thesis compares the recommendations of the Task Force and those of the research and finds sufficient parallels to affirm that both endeavours share a common basis. It is not the role of the thesis to recommend an urban design policy for potential future programs, but it does point to the way urban design might be better integrated in such programs. This research provides support for the argument that if urban design concerns had occupied a more central position in the range of objectives of the Better Cities Program, then the outcomes would have been more satisfactory in many of the projects. With greater recognition of the critical contribution of urban design skills, outcomes of future programs of this nature could potentially be significantly enhanced.

Thesis (M. U. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Also available in print.

specialcollections@tulane.edu / Communities situated in high-hazard fire-risk zones are experiencing larger fires even after decades of fire suppression techniques have been implemented. While fire suppression mitigates the dangers short-term, as the cost of suppression rises and fires become more uncontrollable long-term sustainability is lost. Suppression techniques have left more kindling in denser forests while allowing invasive species to take root causing native species suffer due to their dependence on fires. The invasive species feed flames at a faster rate than native species, increasing the likelihood of an uncontrollable fire. The solution: adapt to living in a fire environment. Architecture and controlled fires are tools to making peace with raging wildfires. If a forest is born to burn, let it, and design accordingly. Specifically, this thesis concentrates on design opportunities such as firebreaks, community engagement, technology, and fire festivals for humans to live with wildfire. These elements mitigate wildfires while also resulting in assets for the community. This thesis seeks to redesign a fire devastated community to demonstrate the potential of fire-safe strategies. / 1 / Jacqueline Esmay

This thesis started with a personal interest as to what informs architectural form, specifically the folded, smooth or continuous form so visible in contemporary architecture. I was interested in the relationship between the formal 'folds' of contemporary architecture and the spatial theory of 'folded space'. In order to understand where these forms are coming from and whether or not the idea of 'folded space' could bring value to the construct of architecture in the South African context I had to gather a comprehensive understanding of the state of architecture in the 21" century and of course that meant researching the failures and successes of what went before. I have learned that the obsession with folded form comes from contemporary architecture's preoccupation with connection and complexity in architecture. In short; Modernism sought to group, zone and separate different spatial programs which were often translated into pure geometric forms, Post-Modernism reacted against the monotony of Modernism by juxtaposing exaggerated oppositions in form and spaces. Today, in the transitional phase from the late 20th century to the beginnings of the 21" century, contemporary architecture still struggles with the theme of connection and complexity in architecture. The idea of 'folded space' where previously unrelated elements are smoothly integrated within a continuous, but heterogeneous mixture seems to provide contemporary architects with an alternative to the purity of Modernism and the vulgar oppositions of Post-modernism. So the question contemporary architecture is faced with today is: How can architecture formulate a continuous mixture which still allows for variety complexity? The theory investigation concluded that the relevance of the folded space in the South African context could be the realization that through the folding or blurring of the relationship between previously unrelated programs, spaces and the building and its urban context, new and interesting social interactions might arise. The corner of Strand and Adderley Street on the station site proved an appropriate site on which to test this theory of 'folded space' on both a social and a spatial level. Although the site is situated on the most important intersection in the city it is known for its clear separations and barriers. The three levels in the center of the city, the underground, the ground and the above ground I station roof are separated both spatially and socially. The design project strives to experiment with ways in which to 'fold' the distinct spaces that are imminent, but repressed on this corner site in the heart of Cape Town's city. Through folding or connecting these spaces and programs that were previously separated the architecture will aim to act as a platform for social encounters amongst its users.

Self-reliant communities allow for the stimulus of local economies, employment opportunity, and poverty alleviation. They also encourage the sustainable use of natural resources, energy harvesting and generation, and climate resilience. In order to ensure food sovereignty and environmental sustainability, society needs to move away from purely industrial agriculture and reintroduce agriculture to communities, allowing people the opportunity to engage directly with healthy, nutritious, locally produced food. There is an opportunity to investigate the potential for agriculture in the peri-urban environment to provide these solutions through the development of architecture and agriculture hand in hand. This project investigates the relationship between peri-urban agriculture and the urban environment and its potential to combat these issues through the design of an agricultural precinct hosting a dairy, deli, and resource centre. It aims to investigate the role of Architecture as a trans-disciplinary facilitator in the achievement of regenerative and self-reliant communities through sustainable urban, environmental and spatial design; and seeks to investigate the merging of three focal areas in order to successfully achieve a regenerative environment: human behaviour and community processes; natural processes, and technology. This project therefore proposes a break away from the design and developmental typologies of today's consumerist and disposable society by challenging the conventional farm and the conventional urban development by creating an intervention that acts as a social device, becoming a filter between the environment/farm and the city/community. / Mini Dissertation (MArch Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Architecture / MArch (Prof) / Unrestricted

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