The project advances urban design policy and practice by integrating biodiversity and placemaking research, promoting cross discipline engagement, challenging conventional thinking, and prioritising equality to understand the potential to create co-benefits for urban nature and people.
Co-benefits are actions that deliver mutually positive outcomes for nature and humans. Penrith LGA was selected as the case study due to its strategic position in Western Sydney.
Firstly, factors that create healthy daily living conditions for nature and people were identified and co-benefit types, design strategies and trade-offs defined. A site analysis process was developed and applied to understand which co-benefits present onsite. This work was peer reviewed by experts.
Secondly, the potential of the LGA to foster co-benefits was explored. Discipline experts across the project lifecycle participated in a three-part systems workshop. Findings highlight factors that undermine biodiversity and identified initial intervention points.
Finally, the study determined how the LGA could transition to a future where co-benefit creation is mainstream.
This research was conducted by Dr. Georgina de Beaujeu through a PhD partnership between Deakin University and Tract.
The research promotes innovation in addressing biodiversity in place by articulating an evidence-based co-benefit philosophy supported by typologies, a site analysis process, and system insights.
Summary of a PhD thesis supported by Tract Consultants and Deakin University and completed in partnership with Penrith City Council.
Scope conceptual opportunities to create co-benefits through neighbourhood and city design in LGAs.
Determine how the current social-ecological-technical system helps or hinders the creation of co-benefits in LGAs.
Understand the potential to mainstream the philosophy and practice of co-benefit creation in neighbourhood and city design in LGAs.
We pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, their Elders and ancestors, recognising their rich heritage and enduring connection to Country and acknowledging the ongoing sovereignty of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations.
We recognise the profound connection to land, waters, sky and community of the First Nations peoples, with continuing cultures that are among the oldest in human history. We recognise that they are skilled land shapers and place makers, with a deep and rich knowledge of this land which they have cared for, protected and balanced for millennia.
