The Darwin Living Lab's inaugural Annual Science Symposium, which kicks off tomorrow, brings leading researchers and practitioners together to share global research and key lessons relevant to Darwin.
The symposium connects research expertise with the local knowledge of architects, policy makers, developers, engineers, planners, community groups and the public.
CSIRO Future Cities Coordinator Guy Barnett says as well as examining global heat mitigating initiatives from around Australia and the world, understanding the local context and engagement is critical.
"A key learning is that every city is unique in its needs. Because of this, we need a bespoke, context-specific approach to keeping a place like Darwin cool," said the symposium keynote speaker.
"It's not just about the outdoors and urban greening; it's about understanding how the broader urban environment influences human behaviour, our mobility and our comfort. It's also about the design and thermal performance of buildings, where people spend most of their time."
Local and national experts at the symposium will also talk about:
- How we can create vibrant, resilient and loved places within our city.Village Well Managing Director and Founder, Gilbert Rouchecouste will share 25 years' experience in placemaking.
- What Darwin can learn from global efforts to reduce urban heat, using emerging technologies. Professor Mat Santamouris is a world-leading researcher who has been involved in developing a heat mitigation strategy for Darwin.
- What makes a liveable tropical city. This will be presented by James Cook University's Tropical Urbanism and Design Lab Principal Director Roger Mainwood. Roger is a registered architect and Principal Director of TPG Architects. He was also heavily involved in the Cairns CBD masterplan.
Find out more about the Darwin Living Lab in our fact sheet [pdf · 1mb].
For the full symposium program visit Darwin Living Lab
The Darwin Living Lab is a 10-year joint initiative funded by the Australian Government, Northern Territory Government, City of Darwin and CSIRO as part of the broader Darwin City Deal to bring science and collaboration to support Darwin's liveability, sustainability and resilience, with an initial focus on urban heat mitigation.
