UNIMELB_LIN-Yuqian_VYT-LOCAL-2024.mp4
Urban Riparian Post-quarry-landfill (URPQL) landscapes represent some of the most challenging post-industrial brownfield sites due to their dual identity as quarries and landfills. This dissertation explores the transformation of these landscapes, focusing on their sustainable redevelopment to meet the pressing challenges of environmental contamination, climate change and urban development.
The research aims to investigate the historical and current contexts of URPQL landscapes, analyzing their socio-ecological and cultural impacts. By examining three case study sites— CERES and Darebin Parklands as learning sites, and Wollert Hanson Landfill as an outcome site—this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential for URPQL landscape redevelopment. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining archival reviews, document analyses, participatory walks, and digital platform prototyping to gather the often hidden and unseen knowledge to develop innovative design strategies. A key objective of this research is to foster community involvement by engaging Traditional Custodians of the Land, local communities, Friends Groups, and other stakeholders in the redevelopment process. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating diverse voices and local knowledge into the design and planning stages through participatory approaches. By leveraging both digital and physical prototypes, the project aims to build contemporary communication and knowledge-sharing spaces for URPQL landscapes. Additionally, the research explores the potential for cross-council collaboration and its policy implications for URPQL site redevelopment. Navigating the complexities of multi-council negotiations, the study seeks to develop inclusive and adaptive planning strategies that transcend administrative boundaries. This interdisciplinary approach highlights the need for coordinated efforts to ensure the successful transformation of URPQL sites.
The thesis also addresses the temporal dimensions of URPQL landscapes, including their life cycles and future trajectories. By examining these aspects, the research informs innovative design strategies that address community needs and aspirations while harnessing the potential of these landscapes. The ultimate goal is to establish hybrid digital and physical spatial designs as catalysts for community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and economic revitalization. Through its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, this research contributes to the academic understanding of post-industrial landscape redevelopment. It offers new insights into the sustainable transformation of URPQL sites, emphasizing the importance of community involvement, cross-council collaboration, and innovative design strategies. The findings provide valuable recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and landscape architects, guiding the adaptive reuse of neglected urban spaces and ensuring their long-term recognition and sustainability.
In conclusion, this dissertation aims to transform historically neglected URPQL landscapes into vibrant, sustainable, and socially significant areas. By integrating academic insights with practical applications, the research seeks to chart a path towards resilient and inclusive urban futures, ensuring that the significance of URPQL landscapes is recognized and sustained for generations to come.