Design with Country: Resilience Studio (ABPL90430)

Design with Country: Resilience Studio will explore the large urbanized riverine system running through the heart of Melbourne, Australia, known as the Birrarung (Yarra River). In 2021, the Birrarung Council approached the University of Melbourne to collaborate and develop resiliency planning. Building on this invitation, we created a multidisciplinary studio to explore landscape architecture, architecture, planning and urban design strategies that address needs and aspirations along the living riverine corridor. Students taking this studio will be immersed in local culture and science, build cultural awareness, engage with city managers and Traditional Owners, stakeholders, and design professionals to understand the challenges and opportunities of the river precinct from multiple perspectives. Students will generate a series of design and strategic planning proposals and build a shared vision for selected locations along the Birrarung. The studio builds on landscape architecture, infrastructure planning, and urban design strategies building on indigenous knowledge and heritage to address resiliency and adaptation along the living riverine corridor.

The studio begins with educational immersion to build professional relationships and cultural intelligence, including a parallel series of First Nations voices. This period of outreach, learning, listening, communication, collaboration, and co-design with Traditional Owners builds on the Wilip-gin Birrarung murron (Yarra River Protection Act of 2017) Legislation and the Birrarung Council, working with the concept of bi-cultural environmental net gain which incorporates Traditional Owner and community aspirations. The Act builds on the Wurundjeri Woi wurrung peoples’ recognition of the Birrarung as a single living entity. Background context and readings will allow students to expand their awareness of the history, context and perspectives of Country and custodianship. Design for Country will explore the expanding field of climate adaptation and designing for resilience focusing on ecological, cultural, infrastructural, and recreational opportunities for the area.

 Note: Students may seek approval to replace ABPL90072 Landscape Studio 5: Sustainable Urbanism with  ABPL90430 Design with Country: Resilience Studio