GeoArt Publication

The recent publication in the Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture (JoDLA) 2024 was presented in person at the conference held in TU Wien (5-7th June in Vienna).

Presentation transcripts below followed by a link to the slides & the published paper:

Slide 1:

• This publication holds a special significance for me as it encapsulates my personal reflection spanning seven years of teaching and research at RMIT University. It also elaborates on my contributions to the climate-resilient Honiara project, which was funded by UN-adaptation Fund, administered by UNHABITAT and led by Prof. Darryn McEvoy from school of Engineering at RMIT university. This reflection stems from observing a myriad of activities undertaken by our research team before, during, and after the COVID-19. Including a team of seven schools and more than 15 researchers.

• As a practicing landscape architect, my constant reflection on Geodesign theory and making impact through action research has inspired me to develop new concepts in the field. These concepts aim to maximize the research impact in the space of climate adaptation and mitigation by creating stronger link between culture and geodesign theory.

Slide 2:

• The project focuses on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are at the forefront of climate change impacts. These vulnerable communities are visualized as red dots in relation to the larger land masses of Australia and Indonesia. We were particularly focused on the capital of Solomon Islands, Honiara city. I will provide a quick overview of the project.

Slide 3:

• The project began with city-wide climate impact modelling, which included sea level rise, flooding, landslides, and urban heat island effects. We collaborated directly with top government officials as well as the most vulnerable communities in informal settlements, as indicated by the boundaries, to address their specific challenges.

Slide 4:

• The project involved multiple trips to the city and the facilitation of various design, planning, and training workshops from the start. A design workshop was conducted for civil engineering students at Solomon Island National University.
• A design workshop was conducted for civil engineering students at Solomon Island National University.

Slides 5&6:

• Another design workshop was conducted to create a linear park for the central valley community. We reduced and simplified the Geodesign questions to three to make the process and steps easier for the community to understand.”
• The community actively engaged in the process and developed multiple concepts to create the linear park sensitively within the landscape context.

Slides 7&8:

• Furthermore, Nature-based Solutions were implemented by a partner NGO and the pilot community, including the development of vetiver grass and bamboo nurseries for riverbank stabilization and landslide mitigation.
• The plantations were successfully established, monitored, and mitigated the flooding impacts along the Mataniko River.”

Slide 9:

• The success was celebrated and featured in city news publications, inspiring municipalities and other communities.

Slide 10:

• The project team journeyed through various domains, including design, planning, and engagement, before, during, and after the COVID period.
• The georesilience concept was developed to encompass geodesign (action in time), geopolicy (forward-thinking over 20 years and beyond), and geo-engagement (from community to government levels) to ensure the success of design implementation, collaboration, and future policymaking.

Slide 11:

• The project team journeyed through various domains, including design, planning, and engagement, before, during, and after the COVID period.
• The georesilience concept was developed to encompass geodesign (action in time), geopolicy (forward-thinking over 20 years and beyond), and geo-engagement (from community to government levels) to ensure the success of design implementation, collaboration, and future policymaking.

Slide 12:

• The classroom has served as our office, contributing over 6 semesters and involving more than 300 students in landscape architecture and planning in the project, providing a testing ground to develop ideas in various ways.

Slide 13:

• In the design studios and seminars , we reflected on key theories in landscape architecture, including ‘Design with Nature’ (McHarg), ‘Design with Culture’ (Corner), and Geodesign (Steinitz).
• Mapping is central to the design process, serving as a crucial tool for revealing the multi-layered aspects of the landscape and forging connections between culture and nature. This is particularly vital for large-scale climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Through public engagement and dissemination of research, mapping facilitates shared imaginations and collaborations, enabling diverse players to engage and contribute to the collective vision.
• This necessitated the development and integration of an art production process to facilitate communication with cultural elements related to the context.”
• Hence, a process was developed that incorporates key aspects of the design process, such as mapping and simulations using analogue and digital technologies namely GIS and overlaying techniques to reveal the multi-layered aspects of landscape through time.
• This process involves aesthetic judgments and preferences as well as a scientific and evidence-based design process to provide a representation of the project context, which can later be complemented with cultural aspects of the project to communicate design values broadly and create collective imaginations and inspirations.
• This process can be done individually and collaboratively to communicate different aspects of geodesign process including describe, process, evaluations, change, impact and decision with the broader public and stakeholders and operate as a catalyst to facilitate collaborations across different players.

Slide 14:

• In this artwork, overlays were developed in the design workshop, were reused to create artwork depicting the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), such as bamboo and vetiver grass nurseries, within the local context, drawing inspiration from local crafts and arts. The map graticule provided an opportunity for additional expressions and engagement with the cultural aspects of study area.
• The project was inspired by the profound relationship observed in Australian indigenous cultures, particularly their traditional fire management practices.

Slide 15:

• A similar design workshop was conducted on Viti Levu Island in Fiji, involving students from the Master of Disaster Design and Development program at RMIT.
• Participants engaged in mapping spatial risks such as flooding, social vulnerabilities, sea-level rise, landslides, and hydrology. They then developed responses centered around Nature-based Solutions (NBS), incorporating policy frameworks and designing scenarios.

Slide 16:

• Similarly, map overlays were creatively burned and overlayed to communicate spatial risk and Nature-based Solutions (NBS) in two artworks. Hand-drawings, notes, and sketches on tracing papers were integrated onto the map overlays.
• The act of burning symbolizes not only renewal but also serves as a conduit for positive change, paving the way towards a future characterized by collaboration and harmony with nature. It also reveals the temporal and multi-layered aspects of the landscape. However, other techniques such as water washing, or analogue and digital cutting can be tested and developed.

Slide 17:

• Additional cultural forms were added to the top by relating to dominant religion as well as integration of NbS within the landscape along the waterways.

Slide 18:

• Another individual research was extended to my local community in Box Hill North, Melbourne, serving as a prototype that any landscape architect can lead and undertake in their local area.
• I collaborated with my local nursery a dog group of over 50 members and the local council, involving them in shaping the future of the suburb by enhancing biodiversity and reducing waste and emissions, while considering the diverse demographics with various cultural backgrounds.
• The artworks were showcased at a local gallery, with 20% of the sales proceeds donated to the local nursery and indigenous council, thus creating benefits concurrently for nature and culture through my artistic efforts.

Slide 19:

• Moreover, I delved deeper into the potential of Geoart for enhancing cultural and geopolitical communication by juxtaposing the contemporary state of human modification with the pre-conflict context of Israel-Palestine promoting peace and conflict resolution.

Slide 20:

• Additional tests were developed by repurposing disused furniture and wrapping them with mapping overlays, serving as an example of a connection to the country for Melbourne CBD.

Slide 21:

• In conclusion, the georesilience framework, incorporating art, design, policy, and engagement components, can be further elaborated upon to provide a comprehensive platform for advancing research impact. It lays the groundwork for managing and implementing action research within a synergistic framework that bridges culture and nature. This approach aims to cultivate research outcomes that are not only impactful but also adaptive in an ever shifting and uncertain future.

Link to the presentation slides

Link to the published paper