Urban Futures Stream - Abstracts

School: Property, Construction and Project Management 

Presentation type: Second Milestone Review

Time and location: 9:00 am, 016.07.002

Title: Adaptive Cities: A user-specific approach to designing and implementing `considered¿ and responsive urban parks/urban green spaces that maximise the invigorative experience

Abstract: Urban green spaces (UGS) have been identified and promoted as an approach to ‘adapt’ (adjust to) and mitigate the challenges associated with rapid urbanisation (population growth, climate change and human health and wellbeing). The benefits remain largely unquestioned by academic researchers and urban development professionals. As a result, there is a disconnect between the way in which they are designed and implemented. Often it is assumed that UGS will provide all the claimed benefits without necessarily being designed to do so and more importantly, consider the specific needs of the users. There are many studies focussing on the restorative effects of nature, however it is argued here that to achieve restorative experiences for users of UGS, the design of the landscape requires deep memory prompts and connection to nature from a sensory perspective to better enable this to occur. 

Contemporary UGS design often prioritises the visual sense, with a recent shift to include auditory experiences. Whilst this inclusion is a positive change towards incorporating sensory design in UGS, the sense of touch, taste, and smell, are rarely considered, which can lead to sensory deprivation when seeking restorative experiences in UGS. When considering sensory experiences in UGS settings, the sense of smell is important for several reasons including survival, navigation, communication, and enjoyment and is closely linked to emotions and memories. A recent shift in urban place-making theories recognise the need for people’s emotions and experiences to be influenced by different sensory cues, enabling a better relationship with the surrounding environment, ultimately leading to the creation of better quality and more inclusive places with greater opportunities for restorative experiences.

This research project will explore the ways in which planting scents can affect and enhance the restorative experiences for users of UGS and utilize this knowledge to inform better planting designs of UGS that consider user-specific needs from a sensory perspective.

School: Global, Urban and Social Studies

Presentation type: Confirmation of Candidature

Time and location: 10:30 am, 016.07.001

Title: On Floods, (Im)mobilities and Production of Places in Bihar, India.  

Abstract: Framed on the dispersed nature of existing literature on extreme environmental events and (im)mobilities and that a causal relationship grounds them, this doctoral thesis examines the relations between extreme environmental events and human (im)mobilities through a case study of one of the (in)famous region because of its frequent flooding history, i.e., Bihar, India. It argues that (im)mobilities are not simply a result of these events but instead are produced through an intricate network of power relations, categorisations, inequalities, entanglements, and ethnostate epistemologies in one of India’s most marginalised states. The thesis structure is around the understanding of how mobilities and places are co-constitutive and how explaining mobility through place can help understand diverse forms of (im)mobilities that are emplaced. 

To explore this understanding, ethnography is selected as a choice of method. The collected data will be analysed in two steps. First, the collected textual data (mostly state and national policies that can produce (im)mobilities) will be analysed through a textual Critical Discourse Analysis to illustrate how ethnostate epistemologies produce an (im)mobility on a macro scale. Second, I would rely on insights from in-depth interviews, observation of participation and life histories and later analyse them through narratives to contextualise the everyday (im)mobilities on a micro scale. Lastly, in theorising how mobilities are produced through places and how places are produced through mobilities, this research seeks to make a contribution to the fields of human geography, mobility justice and mobility studies.   

School: Property, Construction and Project Management

Presentation type: Confirmation of Candidature

Time and location: 12:30 pm, 016.07.004

Title: Investigating the health impacts of social housing retrofits

Abstract: Most Australians spend the majority of their time indoors, making provision of a healthy and comfortable indoor environment important for the health and wellbeing of occupants. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is an important component of the indoor environment as deterioration in IAQ could lead to adverse health impacts. IAQ may be determined by various factors such as outdoor conditions, dwelling characteristics, indoor conditions, occupant behaviours and climate change. These influencing factors may also interact with each other to have a combined effect on IAQ.

This research addresses the lack of research on residential indoor air quality and climate change impacts on IAQ within the Australian context. Moreover, there is a lack of research in dwellings located in inner west Melbourne which is one of the most polluted regions in Victoria.

A mixed-methods approach involving interviews, home tours, field measurements and simulations will be used to understand the influence of different factors on IAQ, impacts of climate change on IAQ and identify suitable airtightening and ventilation strategies to improve IAQ in current and future climates.

The research outcomes will be relevant to homeowners and developers enabling them to make informed decisions regarding retrofitting existing homes and to inform the design of new homes to increase resilience to current and future climates. The research outcomes may inform policy makers to ensure provisions are made in the National Construction Codes for retrofitting existing homes as well as designing new homes to mitigate any potential negative health impacts in homes located in highly polluted areas in current and future climates.

School: Property, Construction and Project Management

Presentation type: Confirmation of Candidature

Time and location: 2:30 pm, 016.07.002

Title: Decoding the Global Mass Timber Construction Supply Chain: Towards a Greater Adoption of Sustainable Building Technologies

Abstract: Carbon is at the centre of the discussion concerning sustainability in our built environment. As the largest source of carbon production in the world, the construction sector faces a pressing need to find sustainable methods and products that effectively reduce carbon emissions. Mass Timber Construction (MTC) is a technology that presents itself as a promising answer to this challenge. Using timber as the primary construction material, MTC can sequestering carbon and has lower embodied carbon emissions making it an attractive substitution to concrete and steel. A recent conversation that has accompanied the adoption of sustainable construction approaches is the inclusion of Circular Economy (CE) principles. More specifically an idea called the Circular Building Adaptability (CBA) approach. CBA is characterised by building design containing configuration flexibility, design for disassembly, material reversibility and functional convertibility. Accommodating the concept of building dynamics, an existing methodology/approach that can be leveraged to support a CBA focus on the construction systems is called Open Building (OB). OB views the overall superstructure (the base building) as one element and each unit/residence within (the fitout) as separable and unique (non-standardised) living spaces. The approach is suitable for mass housing developments. Taken together MTC, CBA and OB offer a stark contrast to our current conventional fixed, inflexible building design and construction approaches. The presentation explores “How the integration of Circular Building Adaptability principles, Open Building methodology and Mass Timber Construction can deliver a sustainable and responsive multi-storey housing solution for Australia?”. The project shall adopt a technology road map approach.  

School: Property, Construction and Project Management

Presentation type: Confirmation of Candidature

Time and location: 10:30 am, 016.07.003

Title: A system dynamics approach to the efficiency enhancement of Public-Private Partnerships in Australia

Abstract: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly utilized globally to fulfill infrastructure needs amid financial constraints faced by governments. However, the complexity of PPP agreements and the inherent risks associated with long-term investments necessitate advanced risk management strategies. This research proposes the integration of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) and multi-task Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to enhance the evaluation of risk registers in PPP projects. Risk registers are crucial tools in risk management. It contains extensive and varied descriptions of potential risks, that can be challenging to analyse manually due to diverse terminology and complex content. By applying state-of-the-art multi-task NLP methods, this study aims to automate the processing of these registers, transforming qualitative descriptions into quantifiable data that can be systematically assessed. The efficacy of the multi-task approach is compared with task-specific classifications to assess their relative performance. Additionally, the application of XAI provides transparency into the AI decision-making process, making the predictions and risk assessments understandable and actionable for project managers and stakeholders. This research is set to make significant contributions to PPP risk management by utilizing advanced technologies like sophisticated NLP models and XAI. The expected outcomes include enhanced predictive capabilities for risk assessments, allowing for earlier and more effective interventions in PPP projects. Additionally, the integration of multi-task classification methods is anticipated to refine the comprehensiveness and accuracy of these assessments, leading to better strategic planning and resource allocation. By improving the interpretability of AI-driven assessments through XAI, this approach aims to make the decision-making process more transparent and trustworthy, thereby supporting the successful implementation of public infrastructure projects. By providing a clearer understanding of potential project risks, this approach enables better strategic planning and risk mitigation, ensuring that resources are used effectively and that infrastructure projects meet their long-term objectives.

School: Property, Construction and Project Management

Presentation type: Confirmation of Candidature

Time and location: 3:00 pm, 016.07.002

Title: The Impact of Nature-based Solutions on Sustainability Outcomes for Urban University Campuses: A case study of RMIT's urban campuses, Melbourne

Abstract: This research explores the impact of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) on the social sustainability of students on urban university campuses, using RMIT University in Melbourne as a case study. NbS, which harness natural processes to address environmental challenges, are assessed for their potential to enhance urban sustainability and improve student well-being.

The study's primary objectives are to evaluate the environmental and social benefits of NbS on RMIT's city and Brunswick campuses and to gauge student perceptions of these suggested implementations. Through a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates multi-criteria assessments, spatial analysis, and innovative data collection techniques, including online virtual tours embedded within surveys. This methodology allows for a comprehensive analysis of NbS impacts on microclimate, biodiversity, and student engagement.

The research questions identify the perceived and actual benefits of NbS to the student body and the broader university community, focusing on environmental improvements and student satisfaction. The research also examines the economic aspect of NbS, evaluating their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional grey infrastructure solutions, particularly in mitigating low-intensity, high-impact environmental threats.

Anticipated outcomes of this study include enhanced understanding of NbS in fostering ecological resilience and well-being, contributing to more sustainable urban university environments. It aims to influence academic discourse, inform policies, and improve life quality on campuses, offering a model for NbS integration in higher education, particularly within Australian cities.

School: Property, Construction and Project Management

Presentation type: Second Milestone Review

Time and location: 1:30 pm, MS Teams

Title: The organisational behavior aspect of fostering Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) adoption in the construction sector

Abstract: There is a consensus among industry leaders and scholars that the construction sector will lose its competitive advantages if its lethargy to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies continues. As a response, the construction industry has been advocating the more extensive use of the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) in projects. Research studies on this topic mainly reported technological advancement but rarely addressed the fact that the adoption of DfMA is a behavioural matter. This PhD study aims to use the Construal Level Theory (CLT) as a theoretical basis to synthesise elements critical for the organisations’ adoption of DfMA in projects. The specific interest of this study is in examining the factors that lead to the development of positive organisational behaviour towards the implementation of DfMA. A mixed approach with a questionnaire survey and the interviews will be adopted to achieve the research aims. The findings will shed light on DfMA adoption on behavioural aspects, and the developed conceptual model can serve as a roadmap for global DfMA adoption in the construction industry.