S3, E2: Urban Design in Western Australia With Dr. Julian Bolleter, Australian Author, Director and Lecturer
S3, E2: Urban Design in Western Australia With Dr. Julian Bolleter, Australian Author, Director and Lecturer
Building Better Cities: A Journey Through Urban Design
Host: Jackie De Burca
Guest: Dr. Julian Bolleter, Co-Director of the Australian Urban Design Research Centre
Below are a few of his books and you can check out Dr. Julian Bolleter on Amazon.
Introduction:
- Jackie De Burca welcomes Dr. Julian Bolleter, an influential figure in landscape architecture and urban design.
- Julian shares his personal connection to the environment rooted in his childhood.
Main Themes:
- Urban Development Challenges: Julian discusses his research in Dubai on the city’s rapid construction, environmental impact, and labor practices.
- Climate Performance and Policy: Insight into Julian’s collaboration with state government to enhance climate performance and urban policy.
- Educational Contributions: Julian’s role in academia through teaching and writing, nurturing the next generation of urban designers.
Tune into Dr. Julian Bolleter
Research Highlights:
- New City Development and Urban Infill: Julian’s exploration into how new urban spaces are created and existing ones are optimised.
- Public Open Space Design: The significance of designing accessible and functional public spaces for communities.
- Critical Examination of Urban Growth: Analysis of historical and contemporary urban growth strategies in Australia through Julian’s publications.
Books Discussed:
- “The Ghost Cities of Australia”: A critique of past settlement strategies.
- “Scavenging the Suburbs”: Potential for densification and repurposing of underutilized urban spaces in Perth.
- “Take Me to the River”: The importance of the Swan River to Perth’s ecological and cultural landscape.
Environmental Concerns:
- Human impact on wetlands and river areas.
- Consequences of climate change like sea level rise and intense storms.
- Balancing urban densification with biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Innovative Proposals:
- Low-rise apartments near large parks as a sustainable development model.
- Investing tax revenue in park improvements and environmental initiatives.
- The concept of “solastalgia” and reclaiming urban land by nature.
Cultural Perspectives:
- Examining the relationship between Australians and their indigenous landscapes.
- Addressing cultural shifts in colonial and post-colonial contexts.
Urban and Suburban Synergy:
- Embracing the greenness of suburbia and the energy of urban life.
- Excitement for population decentralisation and the creation of new city developments.
Concerns and Advocacy:
- Warning against an overreliance on quantitative data in an AI-centric world.
- Advocating for housing affordability that includes all living costs.
- The necessity of considering individual needs in urban planning.
About Dr. Julian Bolleter
Dr Julian Bolleter is the co-director of the Australian Urban Design Research Centre (AUDRC) at the University of Western Australia. His role at the AUDRC includes teaching a master’s program in urban design and conducting urban design related research and design projects.
