Community Conversation
Community and Placemaking — NEXT Forum: Sustainability
Vision
How can we design our places to build a more sustainable future for our communities?
+ add commentEnsuring ongoing value – finding the balance between specific-use places and those that can be retool or have multiple uses in the future
From an economic point of view, how we measure the benefit of public spaces is an ongoing challenge … See more
From an economic point of view, how we measure the benefit of public spaces is an ongoing challenge for governments to ensure we can help measure the positive impact of designs See less
The challenges we face maintaining the 'safe distance' from each other of 1.5m are going t… See more
The challenges we face maintaining the 'safe distance' from each other of 1.5m are going to provide new considerations for design and outdoor spaces for the immediate future See less
Thinking about HOW use green space – not just a cool novelty but the genuine advantage of it
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Opportunities
What are the unique opportunities we have, given our location in the centre of cities?
+ add commentSuggest a community engagement and place-based strategy for Bundoora Campus – which shows RMIT’s s… See more
Suggest a community engagement and place-based strategy for Bundoora Campus – which shows RMIT’s social and civic leadership and our commitment to supporting a high needs community to thrive.
RMIT is one of the few universities in Australia to be based in a growth area. Like the University of Western Sydney and Victoria University RMIT is presented with the opportunity and civic obligation to support the challenges faced in the northern growth corridor and City of Whittlesea and contribute to it thriving. We need to ensure that we are not just seen as a privileged university that ignores the needs of its immediate neighbourhood.
RMIT has much to learn from the University of Technology Sydneyand its social impact and justice framework, which has a commitment to contribute “to increased public good, social mobility and equity; support the creation of enabling environments for communities to thrive…..and the systemic forces that shape justice.” The University of Melbourne’s recently released 10-year plan also has a strong Place based approach with Carlton and Shepparton– both with highly disadvantaged communities as a focus. The University of Melbourne acknowledges that being a global university also means being a responsible local citizen.
Whittlesea may not be where many of us live and not as easy to get to by bicycle as Brunswick but it has significant need. With a growing and large youth population there are pressing social and economic demands with limited employment and education opportunities.
RMIT’s School of Education and Centre for Urban researchers are already working to support the learning and planning needs of Whittlesea and Bundoora. Having a significant community engagement and place-based strategy for our Bundoora Campus would not only show RMIT’s social justice and impact commitment but also be a strategic business move for attracting future students and working to solve critical research problems facing cities and growth areas. See less
There are so many people that move through or around our space in the hustle and bustle – could there be value to them too?
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On Swanston St, for example, we could move Boost Juice and Little Bang Espresso to other areas, and … See more
On Swanston St, for example, we could move Boost Juice and Little Bang Espresso to other areas, and make way for showcasing RMIT: exhibitions, exciting research findings, celebrating alumni, even educational material… See less
We could use our basketball courts in A'becett for other things other than just basketball – a… See more
We could use our basketball courts in A'becett for other things other than just basketball – as a more multipurposes space with a sustainable and community building aspect. See less
Rethink what the best environment means for all – is it being closer to home, is it smaller spaces (… See more
Rethink what the best environment means for all – is it being closer to home, is it smaller spaces (away from noise or other things that may make people uncomfortable) or is it more community spaces where you can meet and collaborate with others See less
Community Member
22 Sep, 2020 Report Report Reply ReplyEdited:Looking at what existing spaces already exist – does RMIT always need to create a new space? Could we collaborate or share existing community spaces?
Reegan N.
22 Sep, 2020 Report Report Reply ReplyBuild spaces that are resilient to the changing climate and extreme weather events
Stella M.
22 Sep, 2020 Report Report Reply ReplyMore green spaces, including ideas like vertical gardens, planter boxes
Ellen B.
22 Sep, 2020 Report Report Reply ReplyLooking at how we bring nature into our built environment
Community Member
22 Sep, 2020 Report Report Reply ReplyReally thinking about what it means to be 'in situ' – what are the communities we sit within to maximise and collaborate
Community Member
22 Sep, 2020 Report Report Reply Reply