We will investigate in a post-industrial area, how good urban and architectural design can help reduce heat stress, to create livable spaces. The projects expand the areas’ historical connection to Melbourne’s river system and rail, while improving urban spaces around the Yarra confluent. The projects will be holding programs mixing civic and commercial activity. While forming an interface between neighborhood and civic space, they will complement the existing neighborhoods programmatic diversity.

The projects will respond to an increasing challenge for cities: Most of the world’s population lives in built up areas, where temperatures are higher than in rural areas, as a result of reduced vegetated and increased paved surfaces that store heat. This effect known the urban heat island (UHI), creates heat stress, directly impacting human health. Measures to reduce temperatures, therefore improve well-being and liveability of cities.