Canberra model the key to creating successful new cities

21 October 2019

It often gets a bad rap, but Canberra could hold the secret to planning for Australia’s growing population and successfully decentralising our major cities, researchers say.

Wild Stray Care: Exploring multiple ways people co-exist with urban nature

16 October 2019

This essay introduces the three frames, then shares some of the outcomes from the The Nature of Cities Summit Seed Session.

It’s easy to get us walking more if we have somewhere to walk to near our home and work

11 October 2019

We know walking more and increasing our levels of exercise are good for our health. But how can we walk more in our busy lives?

Can apocalyptic games prepare us for future sustainability threats?

10 October 2019

What can playing apocalyptic games teach us about climate change or energy security? Urban resilience expert Dr Anthony Richardson explores how games can tackle future challenges at the global gaming festival PAX in Melbourne.

Shh! Don’t mention the public housing shortage. But no serious action on homelessness can ignore it

Today, October 10, is World Homeless Day. Next week the Council to Homeless Persons will convene the Victorian Homelessness Conference to discuss options for ending homelessness.

How can we improve our homes to be energy efficient?

04 October 2019

With rising energy bills the new normal, we need to focus on improving Victoria’s housing stock to help householders adapt. New research in Moreland is exploring the barriers and opportunities householders face in improving their homes.

Six emotions shared by young people living with climate change

19 September 2019

Today, thousands of Australian students will protest government inaction on climate change. Sustainability expert Dr Blanche Verlie explains how climate change is emotionally impacting young people.

Circular economy plan neglects corporate buy-in at its peril

11 September 2019

Sustainability experts say the Victorian government’s circular economy strategy will sink if not opened up to business and innovation sectors as an economic development plan, rather than a narrowly-defined waste management issue.

Academic petition to stop the destruction of the Djab Wurrung sacred trees

10 September 2019

We write to express our grave concern and disappointment about the Victorian Government’s plans to bulldoze the sacred trees of the Djab Wurrung people of Western Victoria in order to construct a new alignment of the Western Highway.

What you really need to know about Melbourne being named the world’s second most liveable city – again

05 September 2019

Melbourne has retained second place in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s global liveability index but what, if anything, does it all mean? Our experts explain.

Meet Tamzin Rollason: Expert in sustainable fashion

03 September 2019

Sustainable apparel is in vogue but is it the answer to fashion’s environmental footprint? Researcher Tamzin Rollason delves deeper into the eco-style trend.

War on waste: A tale of two cities

01 September 2019

From edible cities to plastic pollution – two RMIT experts share their thoughts on sustainability issues across two continents.

Fall in ageing Australians’ home-ownership rates looms as seismic shock for housing policy

27 August 2019

A new report raises concerns that rising mortgage debt and falling home ownership rates in later life are undermining the role of home ownership in supporting retirees’ financial wellbeing.

What kind of state values a freeway’s heritage above the heritage of our oldest living culture?

23 August 2019

What kind of world do we live in when freeways are valued as of greater cultural significance than the practice of the oldest living culture in the world?

Five liveability challenges Melbourne and Bangkok must face together

19 August 2019

What can Melbourne and Bangkok learn from each other to improve liveability and wellbeing for their residents?

Food selfies show an appetite for flexible student eating spaces

14 August 2019

Food selfies taken on campus can offer a whole new way to rethink flexible student spaces and help combat food waste, suggests a new study.

Tackling urban heat

13 August 2019

Students on an RMIT Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) study tour in Barcelona have developed strategies to tackle urban heat – a growing challenge for cities around the world as urban populations increase.

Australian city workers’ average commute has blown out to 66 minutes a day. How does yours compare

31 July 2019

Average daily commuting times across Australia also increased from about 49 minutes in 2002 to almost one hour in 2017 according to the latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA).

Regional cities beware – fast rail might lead to disadvantaged dormitories, not booming economies

17 July 2019

Governments are looking to fast rail services to regional cities to relieve population pressures in major cities, but will subsidising metropolitan workers to live in cheaper regional towns have a positive economic effect?

From hospital to homeless: Victoria’s mental health system fails the most vulnerable

11 July 2019

People experiencing homelessness and poor mental health are among Australia’s most vulnerable citizens. Without secure housing and an accessible mental healthcare system, recovery from mental illness is seriously compromised.

Walking and cycling to work makes commuters happier and more productive

04 July 2019

In Australia, more than 9 million people commute to work every weekday. The distance they travel and how they get there – car, public transport, cycling or walking – can influence their well-being and performance at work.

Australia’s social housing policy needs stronger leadership and an investment overhaul

03 July 2019

Australia will need another 730,000 social housing dwellings in 20 years if it is to tackle homelessness and housing stress among low-income renters.

Meet Claire Boulange: Expert in urban analytics for healthy cities

20 June 2019

Can video games like SimCity help smart city design? Dr Claire Boulange explains how planning can be playful to build healthy liveable cities for all.

Public housing program risks reducing homes for vulnerable groups: report

29 May 2019

A new report evaluating the Victorian Government’s program to redevelop inner suburban public housing estates says the plan may reduce the amount of homes available for vulnerable households.