Monash Report 2024 – Goal 11

Monash University Report 2024 on the UN Sustainable Development Goals

11  SUSTAINABLE
      CITIES AND
      COMMUNITIES

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

Research
Education
Engagement
Operations

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2024 Publications Performance View

In 2024 Monash University researchers produced 308 publications related to SDG 11, with a mean Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of 2.56.

What is Field-Weighted Citation Impact?

Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) refers to the ratio of the actual number of citations received by a research output and the total citations expected based on the average of the subject field. An FWCI value of 1 may be interpreted as having ‘world average impact’. Thus, a publication with an FWCI of more than 1 indicates higher than expected citations based on the global average for similar publications. As FWCI reflects citations received to date, a publication’s FWCI value may fluctuate over time.

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Sustainable communities and disaster resilience View

Recognized for contributions to community resilience, Monash University is advancing sustainable development and disaster management:

The Monash Sustainable Development Institute's Fire to Flourish program won the 2024 Resilient Australia National Community Award for its role in building community resilience to disasters.

spddm-singapore-2

The Monash Data & Democracy Research Hub participated in the ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management 2024 in Singapore, focusing on inclusive approaches to enhance disaster resilience, with Dr Nazirul Hazim A. Khalim discussing the role of data science in empowering communities.

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Preserving Indigenous heritage and sustainable site management View

Professor Bruno David from the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre is leading initiatives to preserve Indigenous cultural heritage and promote sustainable management of archaeological sites threatened by sea level rise, in collaboration with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.

Researchers at Cloggs Cave

The 'Katungal' project focuses on coastal sites on GunaiKurnai Country, while a significant archaeological discovery at Cloggs Cave in Victoria highlights 12,000-year-old Indigenous rituals. Both projects emphasise community-driven research and ethical collaboration, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage and sustainable communities.

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Sustainable urban development and transport View

Through innovative research on public transport, urban mobility, and sustainable development, Monash University is enhancing urban resilience and promoting equity:

Dr Alyas Widita led research evaluating the impact of the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system on traffic congestion, revealing a 34% reduction, supporting sustainable urban development and climate action.
Associate Professor Alexa Delbosc explored the potential of e-scooters and e-bikes to enhance equity in urban transport, highlighting benefits for vulnerable groups.
Dr Alyas Widita, in collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada, studied Transit-Oriented Development in Jakarta, emphasising the impact of employment density and land use mix on transit ridership.
Research published in BMJ Public Health found that older adults walking for transport had a 25% lower risk of mortality, promoting health and sustainable urban infrastructure.

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Urban expansion in Southeast Asia View

Dr Eka Permanasari, an Associate Professor of Urban Design at Monash University, Indonesia, has conducted research on rapid urban expansion in Southeast Asia, focusing on private cities in Indonesia. The study, published in the CITIES Journal, highlights how the growth of private cities contributes to urban segregation and perpetuates social and economic inequalities. The research suggests that private cities, driven by private developers, lead to gentrification, displacement of low-income residents, and marginalisation of the lower class.

The findings aim to assist policymakers and urban planners in implementing sustainable strategies to mitigate the negative effects of urban sprawl and promote inclusive and equitable urban environments.

Read the full article in Monash Indonesia News

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Monash promotes cultural exchange and inclusivity View

Engaging in cultural exchange and celebrating Indigenous arts, Monash fosters inclusivity and promotes Indigenous knowledge through impactful creative collaborations:

Moorina Bonini, a lecturer and artist, joins Creative Australia's (re)situate Biennale Delegates program, engaging with international art events to foster cultural exchange and future collaborations.

Jacinta Walsh is a Jaru/Yawuru woman, from Western Australia, adopted and raised in Melbourne.

A collaboration between PhD candidate Jacinta Walsh and the Faculty of Arts promoted new designs inspired by Indigenous Australian art, celebrating cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.

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Monash Urban Lab wins in Department of Health and Aged Care competition View

Monash Urban Lab, in collaboration with NMBW Architecture Studio, BoardGrove Architects, BLOXAS, and GLAS Landscape Architects, won first place in the regional town category of the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care Reimagining Where We Live design ideas competition. The competition aimed to shape the future of aged care accommodation by designing innovative homes that are welcoming, safe, accessible, and dementia-friendly.

The winning entry, Manu Place, is a complex that enriches the lives of older residents through a community-focused design. The project critically addressed the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines with a low-rise spatial program embedded within the site context and neighbourhood.

Read the full article in Monash Art, Design and Architecture News

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Local greenery and low crime rates may reduce dementia risk factors View

Monash University-led research, involving Associate Professor Matthew Pase from the School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, has found that living in areas with shorter distances to greenspace and lower crime rates is associated with fewer modifiable dementia risk factors. The study, published in Preventive Medicine Reports, highlights the importance of neighbourhood characteristics in dementia risk and cognition, particularly in lower socioeconomic status areas.

The research suggests that proximity to greenspace encourages physical activity and socialisation, while lower crime rates reduce stress and promote healthier behaviours. The study calls for policy interventions to improve access to parkland and safety, which could encourage healthier lifestyles and reduce dementia risk factors.

Read the full article in Monash News

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Sustainable development at the local government level View

Doctoral Researcher Emily Clarke, affiliated with the Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI), is conducting research on political leadership for sustainable development at the local government level. Her work aims to understand the factors that enable or hinder local government progress towards sustainable development, with a focus on the gap between policy and action influenced by politics and democracy.

Emily's research is particularly significant as it seeks to accelerate progress towards sustainable development goals, such as those outlined in her council's Climate Emergency Plan.

Read the full article in Monash Sustainable Development Institute News

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Unit statistics and highlights View

In 2024, Monash offered 131 units directly related to SDG 11, with 16260 total enrolments.

Highlighted below are a few of the units at Monash related to Sustainable Cities and Communities:

ENS5340 Transforming cities for sustainability
ATS3229 Cities and sustainability
ENE3031 Building sustainability

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‘Stronger Together: Housing as a Common Good’ Studio View

Monash Adjunct Professor Dana Cuff, along with Monash Architecture academics Dr Jacqui Alexander and Pia Socias, led a two-week intensive workshop titled 'Stronger Together: Housing as a Common Good' for Monash Master of Architecture students. The studio focused on strategies to reclaim inner-city land from the speculative market to enhance housing access and equity in Australia. It involved learning from local and international case studies and explored new ownership and tenure models in Fitzroy, Melbourne, where socio-economic diversity is threatened.

The studio served as a platform for housing activism and collaboration with local politicians and stakeholders.

Read the full article in Monash Art, Design and Architecture News

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Immersive Southeast Asia study tour for Monash emerging artists and curators View

Monash University Bachelor of Art History and Curating students embarked on an immersive study tour to Southeast Asia, visiting Singapore and Indonesia.

SDG11-Edu2 Singapore National Gallery

The tour included guided visits to significant art institutions such as the National Gallery Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, and Museum MACAN, as well as participation in seminars and workshops at the Bandung Institute of Technology and Gudskul Art Collective.

Dr Michelle Antoinette, a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Art History and Theory at Monash Art, Design and Architecture, contributed to the tour by delivering a lecture on contemporary Indonesian art.

Read the full article in Monash Art, Design and Architecture News

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Smart city: definition, components, and translation into real-world projects View

Dr Tanvi Maheshwari from Monash Art, Design and Architecture in Melbourne and Dr Alyas Widita at Monash University, Indonesia, co-taught a studio course for Master of Urban Design students themed 'Repairing Transit Deserts.' The course focused on public transit accessibility, connectivity, and equity in the Jakarta metro area, using smart city technologies and spatial data analytics.

smart-city-illustration

This initiative aligns with the smart city framework, which integrates ICT and IoT to enhance urban life, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainable development.

Read the full article in Monash Indonesia News

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The role of safety in public transport choices View

Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) PhD student Mohammed Ibrahim's research, published in the Journal of Transport & Health, explores how safety influences transportation choices and the willingness to switch to safer public transport. The study highlights that while safety currently plays a limited role in modal choice, it is more significant for future shifts towards safer public transport.

This presents an opportunity to reduce road injuries through modal shift, but requires policymakers to prioritise improvements in public transport and address demographic variations to encourage this shift.

Read the full article in Monash University Accident Research Centre News

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Leveraging social media for effective disaster management View

Dr Ika Idris and Dr Derry Wijaya, co-directors of the Monash Data & Democracy Research Hub, contributed as trainers at a training program on crisis communication and social media utilisation for disaster management, organised by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management in Bangkok. The program aimed to enhance the capacity of crisis communications and the utilisation of social media for disaster management, involving 34 participants from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the AHA Centre.

The training included interactive seminars, practical case studies, and simulations, with modules on crisis communication, social media in disaster management, and mitigation strategies. Dr Dyah Pitaloka from Monash University Malaysia also participated as a trainer.

Read the full article in Monash Indonesia News

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Sustainable urban development at Monash Indonesia View

Citarum action research program

Highlighting sustainability and urban transformation, Monash University showcases innovative research and practical applications in Indonesia, from design in informal settlements to mapping green spaces:

The Urban Transformation Poster Competition invited PhD and postgraduate students to present research on sustainability topics, culminating in a seminar in Indonesia. Santiago Cortinez Albarracin and Risty Khoirunisa were recognised for their contributions to sustainable urban development.
The Citarum Action Research Program, part of Monash University's Informal Cities Lab, demonstrated the role of design in facilitating change in informal settlements along the Citarum River in Indonesia.
Quirin Ball, a geography graduate, undertook an internship at Monash University, Indonesia, focused on mapping green spaces using Google Earth.

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Urban design and governance View

Focusing on sustainable urban design and governance, Monash University provides innovative programs and field studies to prepare students for addressing urbanisation challenges:

The Master of Urban Design program equips students with skills to address urbanization challenges, emphasising sustainable and resilient city planning.
The ATI5069 Field Studies in Urban Policy and Governance course focuses on sustainable urban environments and governance in Indonesia.
A pilot field study in Urban Policy and Governance used Jakarta as a case study to explore urban challenges.
An online masterclass in collaboration with PERUMNAS discussed sustainable urban design practices.
The refurbishment of the MADA Master's Room enhances learning for urban planning and design students.

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Innovative projects in cultural heritage and community engagement View

Monash University is leading two innovative projects that promote cultural heritage and community engagement:

The UNSHACKLED digital exhibition, led by Associate Professor Tony Moore from the School of Media, Film and Journalism, highlights the contributions of convicts to Australian democracy, showcased at the Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery.
The Global Encounters virtual reality project, led by Professor Lynette Russell from the Faculty of Arts and Dr Tom Chandler from the Faculty of Information Technology, explores Australia's First Nations history through immersive maps and 3D models.

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Monash transport experts honoured for breakthrough work in Vietnam View

Monash transport engineering researchers, Associate Professor Dong Ngoduy and Professor Hai Vu from the Department of Civil Engineering, have been recognised for their contributions to intelligent transport systems in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Their work, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, has led to the development of advanced solutions for managing multi-modal transport systems. This includes the implementation of digital twin technologies, AI approaches, and real-time adaptive traffic control strategies. The success of their knowledge-sharing program resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding for further collaboration on transport projects.

Read the full article in Monash Engineering News

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Community-led disaster resilience initiatives View

Monash University's Fire to Flourish program, part of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, has developed a community-led disaster resilience model that empowers local communities, particularly Indigenous ones, to enhance disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Flood to Flourish project, led by Professors Briony Rogers and Chris Chesterfield from MSDI Water, focuses on co-creating flood risk management solutions with community members and stakeholders.

Photo of flooded road

The Gathering at Lismore emphasises Indigenous leadership in disaster resilience.
The National Indigenous Disaster Resilience program, led by Bhiamie Williamson, addresses the disproportionate impact of disasters on Indigenous communities.

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'In Through the Out Door' transforms Sydney laneways View

SDG11-Eng4 Sydney laneway artworks

Monash Professor Callum Morton, from Monash Art Projects, has created a permanent public artwork titled 'In Through the Out Door' in Sydney's CBD. This project, commissioned by the City of Sydney, reimagines three rear doorways in city laneways, transforming them into grand entrances that reflect the hidden life of the city. The artwork uses patterns and colors from iconic Sydney locations to engage passersby and enhance the urban environment, contributing to sustainable cities and communities.

Read about the project on the Monash Art, Design and Architecture website

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Urban transformation initiatives by Monash University View

Monash University, Indonesia, hosted Urban Transformation Talks #10 and collaborated with Bappeda on the Banten Mosaic platform to enhance urban planning, while the Urban Transformation Network (UTN) was established to address global urban challenges:

Urban Transformation Talks #10 focused on Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Indonesia, bridging policy and practice to reduce carbon emissions and enhance urban resilience.
The Banten Mosaic platform, led by Dr Mahdani and Professor Stephen Cairns, integrates academic research with government planning to support Banten's development.
The UTN, involving Monash Art, Design and Architecture, Monash Indonesia, and Monash Malaysia, addresses climate adaptation and thriving communities through cross-campus collaboration.
The UTN's first in-person event at Monash University Malaysia focused on sustainable urban development in rapidly urbanising cities in the Global South.

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Housing and urban development View

Monash University showcases sustainable practices and modern construction methods to enhance social housing quality and supply:

The Building 4.0 CRC Annual Showcase and Forum 2024 at the Caulfield campus, led by Professor Mathew Aitchison, highlighted innovative housing solutions, including prefab housing for disaster relief and sustainable construction practices.
The Centre for Youth Policy and Education Practice (CYPEP), led by Professor Lucas Walsh, discussed the housing crisis and its societal impacts on SBS News, emphasising the role of inheritance planning in urban development.

Photo of mother and house just sold

Monash researchers are involved in the Homes NSW project, enhancing social housing quality and supply through modern construction methods, in collaboration with the NSW Government and Building 4.0 CRC.

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Public art on campus View

Exploring diverse narratives and enhancing campus identity, Monash University integrates art into education through inclusive cultural projects and public artworks:

Aziz Sohail's 2024 curator-in-residence project at MADA Gallery explores queer and migrant narratives, fostering inclusive cultural dialogues and partnerships.
Natasha Johns-Messenger's 'SoftTime' public artwork at Caulfield campus enhances the university's identity and campus experience, with an academic engagement program integrating art into education.

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Peninsula campus celebrates official opening of MPavilion View

SDG11-Ops2 MPavilion opening

The Peninsula campus celebrated the opening of its new MPavilion, a space gifted by Monash alumna Dr Naomi Milgrom AC and the Naomi Milgrom Foundation. This MPavilion provides an inclusive gathering place for students, staff, and the local community to connect, host events, and enjoy the natural surroundings, promoting sustainable and inclusive urban spaces.

Read the full article in the Monash Insider

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Historic Monash footage View

The University Archives at Monash University has made a significant effort to digitise and make publicly available a collection of historic audio-visual material, including 27 new videos from the late 1980s to the early 2000s.

SDG11-Ops3 Monash video archives

This initiative allows the public to explore the University's history, including footage of the Clayton campus from the 1950s, and various university events.

The Archives collection includes approximately 875 audio-visual items, which are preserved in a climate-controlled repository. This activity contributes to preserving cultural heritage and ensuring the university's stories are remembered.