Urban Design

A giant Peach Melba, a skyscraper-sized crocodile, a steel ‘V’ taller than the Eiffel Tower: these were just some of the design ideas when Melbourne asked the world to reinvent its skyline in 1979

As part of the Venice Biennale festival, the Adriatic Marbled Bush-Cricket has been reintroduced to lagoons via floating habitats, creating both an art installation and an ecological experiment

Maps tell stories, help discovery, provoke discussion and can change the way we understand our world. Welcome to Map of the Month

Even after four decades of studies and debate, Australia is yet to develop a plan that integrates regional cities into a high-speed rail network

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

Everyone needs access to urban green spaces, not just those in more affluent areas

Instead of demolishing Melbourne’s ageing public housing towers, clever refurbishments could save millions of dollars and provide high-quality public housing

The Bendigo Street occupation shows that housing activists and local governments can better work together to pursue housing justice

Digital technologies that allow experts to better predict future city environments may be a key tool in sustainable urban design

The World Heath Organization has set targets to promote physical activity but an international study shows Australian cities are built around cars rather than encouraging walking