Page 37 - Tropic Magazine Issue 32

TROPIC • DESIGN

Urban living

TROPICAL PLANNING
James Cook University’s
Tropical Urbanism and Design
Lab (TUDLab) is improving
liveability in the region’s
urban centres. 1

Described as a ‘living laboratory for the The TUDLab’s Tropical Design Studio “We also partner with industry experts
Tropics’, the TUDLab at James Cook series, Strategic concept master plans who tutor the students and help them
University’s Cairns campus showcases in Northern Queensland country towns, come up with ideas that would actually
the key role town planning and urban is a clear example of the impact of work in the real world.
design have in shaping better futures in this collaboration. The master plans After the assessment, a few students
regional areas. It’s a passion project of developed in the studio have been go on to complete a placement with the
Associate Professor Lisa Law, who has recognised through the Minister’s TUDLab. They collate information they
worked in JCU Planning for many years. Award for Urban Design in the Master gathered during the assessment and
Professor Law and her peers at the Plan category for their contribution to work with TUDLab industry professionals
university collaborate with regional improving urban life in regional North and government partners to create a full
councils, industry partners and JCU Queensland communities. master plan for that town.”
students to develop award-winning The master plans begin with a period
master plans for regional towns in Far of intensive study that Lisa coordinates
North Queensland. A few of the changes for undergraduates completing the
she and her team have implemented Bachelor of Planning. The subject’s main Bringing urbanism and
include improved footpaths in assessment involves Lisa taking her
consideration of aging populations, students to a regional town, where they design strategy into these
increased signage to generate greater workshop a component of an overall regional towns is a big
tourism and local engagement, master plan that could improve the built
and redirecting a one-way street to move environment. “The students talk with step towards the goal
traffic past Innisfail’s waterfront. locals and listen to what community of liveable, sustainable
“One of the real innovations of the Lab is members view as the most important
the way we work collaboratively with local issues, their strengths and what they legacies in Far North
governments and industry partners for envision for the town’s future,” Queensland
creative solutions,” Lisa said. Lisa said.
Assoc Prof
Lisa Law
Founder, JCU’s TUDLab

The TUDLab team, along with industry
and government partners, have
completed strategic master plans in
Ingham, Innisfail, Ravenshoe and
Malanda. Lisa believes the passionate,
collaborative approach earned her
team its recent award. “I think what
the Minister’s Award jury saw was a
sophisticated conversation about design
happening in regional towns, and now
that conversation is being funded too,”
2 Lisa said. “It’s an amazing thing because
many issues in regional towns defy
Creating communities easy solutions.”

JCU’s Bachelor of Planning takes students on a discovery of
how informed and strategic planning can improve the liveability, MORE: jcu.edu.au/planning
sustainability and vibrancy of communities and urban landscapes.
The Bachelor of Planning is offered at both JCU Cairns and JCU 1. JCU Professor Lisa Law (second from right) and
team at a workshop in Ingham, Tamara Katai
Townsville, with commencement dates in February and July. 2. Sketch from the Innisfail CBD redevelopment
master plan, in collaboration with TPG Architects
and Cassowary Coast Regional Council

37 • tropicnow.com.au