Design with Country: Resilience Studio (ABPL90430)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
Semester 1
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Design with Country: Resilience Studio offers students unique opportunities to engage in landscape and architecture on an Indigenous co-led design project focused on climate-resilient designs. Through the design studio, students will explore sustainable urbanism, regional park connectivity, public and hybrid public-private facilities, health-related design, access and recreation.  Indigenous participation occurs throughout the semester and will be coupled with a focus on the past, present and future of the site, design for seasons, and layers of Country. This investigation will coincide with expert presentations on hydrology, landscape ecology and biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. 

The studio involves real-world collaboration, with students developing visions and design proposals for specific areas of the Ballerrt Mooroop site in collaboration with members of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Council (WWCHAC) and Merri-Bek Council and working group. Emphasis is placed on landscape ecology and urban design, alongside careful site designs embedding cultural awareness and integrating Indigenous knowledge. Students will engage with city managers, Traditional Owners, stakeholders, and design professionals to address challenges and opportunities. The studio aligns with the Birrarung Council's concept of bi-cultural environmental net gain, emphasizing co-design with Traditional Owners

The course begins with educational immersion, fostering professional relationships and cultural intelligence. Students will explore the history, context, and perspectives of Country and custodianship. As the course progresses, students will focus on Merri-Bek Council’s climate adaptation and resilience for the 2020s, 2050s, and 2100 through a cultural, ecological, infrastructural and land use change lens (e.g. commercial, residential and recreational). Students will concurrently develop an intimate knowledge of Ballerrt Mooroop and work on site design projects that like long term resilience for Council with landscape architecture strategies for the site and surrounding area. The work will be on behalf of the WWCHAC (Rights Holders) and Merri-Bek Council to contribute to a larger effort to activate and develop the site as an Indigenous Community Hub. 

Historically, the course originated from an invitation by the Birrarung Council in 2021 to collaborate on Indigenous design ideas and resiliency planning along the Birrarung river. Over three years, the studio addressed needs along the living riverine corridor and established a co-education model with the WWCHAC Education Group. This year, the studio relocated to a new site at the request of the WWCHAC Board.

Note: Students can replace ABPL90072 Landscape Studio 5: Sustainable Urbanism with ABPL90430 Design with Country: Resilience Studio.

 

 

Note: Students can replace ABPL90072 Landscape Studio 5: Sustainable Urbanism with ABPL90430 Design with Country: Resilience Studio.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Understand and spatially map the opportunities, compromises and trade-offs associated with urban land considering climate change, resiliency, and adaptation strategies.
  • Generate community based urban landscape design and ecological architecture for urban sites that are grounded in strategic near- mid- and long-term adaptation alongside cultural heritage, Council vision and ecological regeneration perspectives.
  • Demonstrate a depth of knowledge around water sensitive urban design, biodiversity and ecosystem function and managing for urban heat.
  • Develop an understanding of aboriginal heritage and history of Country and the application of indigenous knowledge with contemporary design perspectives including engaging multiple participants through a transparent engagement process and dialogue.

Generic skills

  • Written, verbal and graphic presentation of ideas;
  • Critical thinking and analysis and a capacity for independent thought;
  • Empathy and appreciation for Country and traditional owner perspectives;
  • Effective listening and communication with traditional owners, and other stakeholders.
  • Application of theories to specific examples;
  • Ability to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources.
  • Ability to learn, reflect on, analysis and apply theory and knowledge towards the design and management of resilient and sustainable urban landscape projects.

Last updated: 11 April 2025