Professor Deo Prasad is involved in three United Nations Environment Program projects looking at how we’re developing our cities to ensure there is a good level of harmony between the built and natural environments. All the cities being investigated are in China. Wuxi and Ang Cities and Chongming Island are undergoing massive growth. The UNSW research aims to determine the measures, indicators and tools that can be deployed to build an environment that blends the socio-cultural, economic and environmental development needed in a modern Chinese city. Professor Prasad’s work looks at ways we can trade-off the benefits of tourism against the adverse impacts of transportation and other infrastructure as these regions are developed.

As the world’s cities bulge under the weight of more people, cars, freeways, buildings and air pollution the question being asked is when will they reach breaking point? In an attempt to ease the strain on the world’s overcrowded cities Professor Richard Goodwin established the Porosity Studio at the UNSW’s College of Fine Arts (COFA). The Studio encourages artists and designers to transform public spaces in cities using a combination of art, sculpture, design and architecture. In 2005, the Studio launched its first project called the Parasite Car in Beijing, which sought to look at new ways to integrate cars, roads and buildings. In 2006, an industrial site in Rotterdam’s harbour district became the focus when a blend of design, digital media, fine arts, engineering and architecture was used to transform the area. Last year, the Studio turned its attention to a disused site in Milan creating an experimental artistic and cultural venue in the city.

CITYFUTURES is a University Research Centre dedicated to developing a better understanding of our cities, their people, the policies that manage their growth, the issues they face, and the impact they make on our environment and economy. The core research activity is investigating urban development and change in partnerships with the community, government and business. Recent projects include Dana Quintal’s thesis on gated communities in Sydney and the motivations that attract many people to live there. Michael Beasdal, from the Disability Studies and Research Institute, examined the issues to be considered in providing housing and support to people with complex needs.

For more information about UNSW research, please visit the UNSW Research website