Support for Tropical Architecture and Design courses at JCU
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:51 pmThe Centre for Excellence and Tropical Design (Townsville) is writing to Dr Ian Wronski at JCU asking for JCU to re-introduce tropical architecture course(s) in North Queensland.
Part of the letter to Dr Wronski..........................
One of the consistent problems which have been identified by sustainability practitioners has been the paucity of understanding of the particular impacts of building and design principles as applied to tropical environments. Both Townsville and Cairns and other communities have suffered the imposition of architectural design forms based on southern, non-tropical experience, into tropical environments with disastrous consequences. Many housing estates have been built based on the designs for temperate climates. The resulting housing and urban landscapes have high ecological footprints and are dependent on high energy use by air conditioners and private vehicles.
We believe there are huge opportunities for North Queensland and tropical Australia generally to make a significant contribution to tropical sustainability. Over 70% of people globally live in tropical environments and the challenges of living sustainably will require significant development of knowledge, learning and business support services. The reintroduction of a tropical architecture course(s) will provide some of the key conceptual foundations required to ensure the integrated and sustainable development in tropical environments.
Should you wish to support re-introduction of Tropical Architecture and Design courses at JCU please reply with your comments for discussion at the next Tropical Green Building Network meeting.
Part of the letter to Dr Wronski..........................
One of the consistent problems which have been identified by sustainability practitioners has been the paucity of understanding of the particular impacts of building and design principles as applied to tropical environments. Both Townsville and Cairns and other communities have suffered the imposition of architectural design forms based on southern, non-tropical experience, into tropical environments with disastrous consequences. Many housing estates have been built based on the designs for temperate climates. The resulting housing and urban landscapes have high ecological footprints and are dependent on high energy use by air conditioners and private vehicles.
We believe there are huge opportunities for North Queensland and tropical Australia generally to make a significant contribution to tropical sustainability. Over 70% of people globally live in tropical environments and the challenges of living sustainably will require significant development of knowledge, learning and business support services. The reintroduction of a tropical architecture course(s) will provide some of the key conceptual foundations required to ensure the integrated and sustainable development in tropical environments.
Should you wish to support re-introduction of Tropical Architecture and Design courses at JCU please reply with your comments for discussion at the next Tropical Green Building Network meeting.