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‘Bumping spaces’ build community – when they are within reach

Social connection needs time and effort, but crucially it also needs meeting places, and our Map of the Month highlights that not all Melburnians have equal access to these ‘bumping spaces’

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Design

From urban planning to the architecture of the built environment, the structure and function of our surroundings can influence all aspects of human life.

  1. 20 March 2024 – Culture, Equality, Food, Melbourne, Rankings

    Is this the world’s coolest street? Or is the system rigged?

    Melbourne, Australia has topped another global ranking, but, a University of Melbourne expert asks, what does it mean to be officially ‘cool’ and who decides?

  2. 15 January 2024 – Cities, Environment, Flexible Working, Work, Workplace

    ‘Forcing’ workers into the office misses the point

    In 2024, there's still a place for physical workspaces but employers need to think carefully about when and how to use them, say University of Melbourne experts

  3. 20 December 2023 – Infrastructure, Melbourne, Public Transport, Transport, Urban Planning

    Is Melbourne’s new bus proposal really faster and fairer?

    Melbourne’s new bus program could improve the city’s public transport system – but it doesn’t quite go far enough say University of Melbourne experts.

  4. 22 November 2023 – COP28, Cities, Climate Change, Green Roofs, Sustainability

    Five ways retrofitting cities can help decarbonise our future

    Construction is a huge source of carbon pollution. Retrofitting existing infrastructure is cleaner and has multiple benefits say University of Melbourne experts

  5. 15 November 2023 – COP28, Climate Change, Pollution, Public Health, Transport

    Decarbonising transport for our health

    Transforming Australia’s carbon-intensive road transport system can also solve significant public health challenges, say University of Melbourne experts

  6. 12 October 2023 – Architecture, Development, Global South, Urban Planning, Urbanisation

    Informal settlements are where cities are made

    A new atlas from University of Melbourne experts shows how informal settlements are not just slums, and shape urban development across most of the world

  7. 27 September 2023 – Australian Politics, Building Codes, Construction, Housing, Victoria

    To build more homes we need confidence in building quality

    Australia wants to build an extra 1.2 million quality homes, but lacks the people or regulatory processes to achieve it, says a University of Melbourne expert

  8. 5 September 2023 – Cities, Fake News, Governance, Misinformation and disinformation, Public Discourse

    How disinformation is undermining our cities

    Disinformation is a modern reality, sowing division in communities – but it's also affecting our cities’ ability to function says University of Melbourne expert

  9. 31 August 2023 – Architecture, Co-design, Indigenous, Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Universities

    The Indigenous cultural knowledges co-designing campuses

    University of Melbourne experts reveal the course being charted by modern Australian university campuses, including the increasing role of Indigenous co-design