Climate change, population growth and rapid urbanisation pose significant threats to the sustainability and resilience of cities and their communities across the world. Most urban planning and resource service delivery strategies – including water and energy – reflect 20thcentury practices that are no longer suitable for our increasingly complex and uncertain world. Recognition of these interconnected problems has inspired new paradigms for urban resource management. These embrace emerging technology and integrate nature-based solutions; adopt flexible, adaptive infrastructure; and support engaged, socially resilient communities. To achieve such transformation requires interdisciplinary action from all sectors and communities. This unit introduces you to key principles of the Net Zero emissions and Water Sensitive Cities (WSC) paradigms, drawing on Monash University’s leading international research and practice in both areas. Together, these provide powerful guiding frameworks for rethinking urban climate, water and energy systems. Translating these into practice through urban planning, design and experimentation can help to mitigate and adapt to climate change and enhance city liveability and productivity. The unit integrates insights from social sciences including governance, strategic and urban planning and policy studies, with natural and physical sciences and engineering disciplines, to create a practical vision for the sustainable transformation of our cities. You will encounter real-world innovations on Monash’s ‘living laboratory’ campus, meet industry experts, and use and apply tools and strategies to influence positive change in their chosen career context.
