1. News
  2. Celebrating the recent UNSW Symposium - Open Sustainability
AGNSW cityscape by Iwan Baan

Celebrating the recent UNSW Symposium - Open Sustainability

Fri 10 March 2023

The ‘Open Sustainability. Creation and Transferability of Green Knowledge in Architecture, Building and Construction’ is a new Hub research stream lead by building engineer and architectural designer, Dr Luciano Cardellicchio (School of Built Environment, ADA) and IP lawyer Prof Kathy Bowrey (Law & Justice). It is a collaboration between the Allens Hub and the UNSW Sustainable Development Reform Hub.

Tackling the problem of sustainability in building and construction and becoming carbon neutral is a complex problem. It requires expertise from many disciplines and industry-based engagement. A symposium was held at UNSW on 8 March 2023. Speakers include distinguished Professor (Scientia) Deo Prasad AO FTSE, a national leader in the field of sustainable buildings and cities; Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow, UWS, Dr Declan Kuch, a sociologist with expertise in climate and energy transition; Australian Architects Sustainability leader, Caroline Pidcock; NSW Government Architect, Jillian Hopkins, and expert on the Right to Repair Leanne Wiseman, Professor and Future Fellow, Law, Griffith University.

Discussion covered the global shift to open sharing and the unique kind of knowledge created in building and construction; various pathways to carbon neutrality; the need for innovation advocates and knowledge managers to ensure best practice is implemented; examples of sustainable building that engage community; the role of planning regulation, SEPP and BASIX standards; and the infrastructure that supports forward planning for the lifecycle of materials, materials and reuse.

The project team have developed practical ideas to improve the way we monitor and trace green innovation generated in building design and construction and the infrastructure needed to better share this knowledge with practitioners, industry and government. They are currently looking for partners and a building site to test and refine our methodology and knowledge sharing framework.

Keen to keep up with the latest news and events from the UNSW Allens Hub? Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn today!

Photo credit: AGNSW/Iwan Baan