Centre for Excellence in Tropical Design

An Overview

YBE 2004 Queensland Mission

• Celebration and understanding of how the built environment improves quality of life

• Fostering a sense of community and purpose by setting directions for a positive and sustainable future

• Promoting initiatives to direct focus into the future

Securing North Queensland Future

Societal Trends

Production and distribution of

goods and services

Application of knowledgeand learning in a global

economy

Sustainable living

Key Challenges Sustainability in the North • Securing sustainable and affordable sources of

energy

• Resolving competition for natural resources

• Balancing development with biodiversity and needs of the natural environment

• Securing sustainable water supplies

• Responding to changes in climate variability and extremes

• Building globally competitive 21st century businesses

• Providing equity and social justice

Future Building Practice • Touch more lightly on the environment

• Shared understanding of sustainability for the tropics• Urban and Rural application

• Integrated research, action learning and practically focused partnerships

• Develop systems and processes for wide and timely dissemination of best practice

• Develop 21st century opportunities for business and employment to generate growth for Townsville, Thuringowa and North Queensland

Centre for Excellence of Tropical Design

Path to the Future.

Visioning the Future

Practical Collaborations.

Ingenuity & Innovation

Networking

Learning Partnerships

Current Thinking

Probable Future

Compromise &Contradicting Visions

Preferred Future

Centre for Excellence in Tropical Design

Sustainability & Innovation as a networked partnership

The Vision • Nurturing and coordinating a series of knowledge

hubs.

• Founded on an alliance between State, Local Government and centres of learning for the Region.

• Supporting sustainable construction and community building.

• Recognised as the pre-eminent source of sustainable tropical design information.

The Vision

State & Local Government

Design Institutes

Industry Groups Learning Centres

Community

Expanding influence

Development and retention of expertise

Greater regional employment prospects

Role and Scope

• Collaboration on practical solutions to issues of sustainability.

• Application of innovative techniques across industry and community.

• Stimulating awareness for transition to sustainability.

• Facilitating co-operative research for local solutions.

• Encouraging application of innovative design strategies.

• Supporting knowledge transfer between organisations

Members/Participants • Building owners

• Producers of products and materials

• Town planning authorities

• Educational institutions

• Government organisations

• Design professionals

• Industry organisations

• Other specialist Centres of Excellence

• Community members

• Environmental businesses and groups

Practical First Steps• A Sustainability Summit

• Identifying knowledge gaps and working/networking with research and education institutions

• Develop a Local Government Planning, Sustainability officers program

• Developing base projects that support the idea of a network into the future

• A Centre for Excellence in Tropical Design (CETD) Web site www.tropicaldesign.org

• Continued collaboration on practical outcomes from YBE activities

Photo courtesy of Troppo Architects

Building the Momentum… • Commence as a ‘virtual’ Centre with more

permanent base in future

• Expansion of tropical design expertise through networks

• Real Projects to build the momentum– Thuringowa Riverway Project– William McCormack Place, Cairns– Travel Smart– Townsville Waterway Project – Creek to Coral– The Strand Foreshore Development - Townsville– Rasmussen and sustainable retrofitting of public

housing– Sustainable Design Project of the Year of the

Built Environment

Sharing the Vision• Concept initiated by a small group

• Underpinned by collaborative partnerships between local governments, state government, universities, business and community

• Vision statement is starting point for future discussion and expanded involvement

• Legacy document into the future

• Welcome support and contributions to develop networks and ensure future success in sustainability for North Queensland.

Photo courtesy of Troppo Architects

Expression of Appreciation

• Greg Bruce (Townsville City Council)• Andrew McEwen (City of Thuringowa)• Guy Lane (SEA O2)• David King (James Cook University)• Keith Whenmouth (Department of Public Works)

Thank You Photo courtesy of Troppo Architects