Gina Dahl

Professor and environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht proposed the term solastalgia.

Different from nostalgia as you are absent from home and wish to return.

The short definition is presented as “the homesickness you have when you are still at home”.

Solastalgia is when you lose solace in your home environment, experienced by aboriginals and non-aboriginals in relation to climate change today. And experiences by aboriginals in relation to occupation of the lands and the incremental development that formed the city.

87% of all aboriginals in Victoria live in urban environments, many finding their connection to culture and country as adults.

The area seeks to become a place to learn, feel and connect to country, culture, spirituality, and knowing. Finding a place between the cultural juxtaposition of everyday life. In the time of solastalgia.

It is a unique opportunity for co-design and layers of knowing as the stories told within the space interlace one another and unfold themselves to the ones that take the time to sit with country. Becoming a steppingstone for a connection to country that is to become an integral part of the Great Birrarung Parklands.