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These maps tell us we need to cool our sweltering streets

Our Map of the Month shows the impact of asphalt and concrete on city temperatures, and why we need to ‘de-pave’ and ‘re-plant’ in a warming climate

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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. 6 September 2022 – Bushfires, Design, Extreme weather, Floods, Insurance

    Designing homes for extreme weather

    The devastating effects of extreme weather mean we urgently need to design homes to protect human life and protect buildings says University of Melbourne expert

  2. 29 August 2022 – Cities, Global South, Iran, Slums, Urban Planning

    Planning a sense of place

    An informal settlement in Iran provides an insight into the politics of place in cities for the most marginalised people, says University of Melbourne expert.

  3. 10 August 2022 – Cities, Culture, Global South, Poverty, Urban Planning

    Seeing the invisible vulnerable in our cities

    The Global South’s urban poor are often displaced and excluded from the processes and places which determine their lives, say University of Melbourne experts.

  4. 9 August 2022 – Air Pollutants, COVID-19, Environment, Pollution, Transport

    Clear skies and longer lives

    COVID-19 pandemic restrictions provided a natural experiment in the relationship between transport and air pollution, say University of Melbourne experts.

  5. 23 July 2022 – Climate Change, Public Transport, Transport Technology, Urban Planning, Zero Emissions Vehicle

    Better bus networks for fairer suburbs can cut emissions

    Zero-emission buses will help cut emissions but we also need to redesign suburban networks to get people out of their cars, says University of Melbourne expert

  6. 18 July 2022 – Brazil, Community, Global South, Resilience, Urban Planning

    Building resilience in remote communities

    A remote archipelago off Brazil’s coast could provide insights into challenges to building community and urban resilience, says University of Melbourne expert.

  7. 6 July 2022 – Architecture, Building Codes, Construction, Design, Housing

    Lifting standards in Victoria’s building industry

    Building industry reform in Australia's Victoria is an opportunity to better protect home owners and promote quality, say University of Melbourne experts

  8. 5 July 2022 – Bicycles, Cities, Public Health, Urban Design, Walkability

    Australian cities failing on walkability

    International study shows Australian cities designed around cars not walking, hampering bid to boost physical activity, says University of Melbourne researcher

  9. 4 May 2022 – Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change, Policy

    Mapping climate policy

    Climate policy across Australia is fragmented, but researchers at University of Melbourne are aiming to use big data to collect and make better sense of plans

  10. 6 March 2022 – International Women's Day, Personal safety, Public Transport, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence

    Doing more to stop sexual violence in plain sight

    This International Women's Day, a University of Melbourne expert says not understanding women’s fear in public spaces puts the burden safety on the victim.