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Research

Through our unique breadth and transdisciplinary focus, we carry out creative, fundamental and applied research projects into the past, present and future of our built and natural environments.

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Our research makes real and lasting impacts and critically informs the teaching of future generations of practitioners, researchers and designers.

Research impact agendas

We are committed to addressing climate change and social justice issues, to supporting the creation of healthy places and respecting First Nations knowledge systems through the built environment disciplines. We aim to influence future practice across our fields and to have global impact.

  • Climate action research

    We will address the climate crisis through work that supports repairing and re-shaping our built and natural environments.

  • First Nations research

    First Nations peoples and knowledge systems will be at the forefront of how we work and who we are as we teach and research anti-colonial agendas.

  • Healthy places research

    We will contribute to the procurement, design and delivery of places and spaces that reverse existing adverse health and wellbeing outcomes and create holistic healthy environments.

  • Social justice research

    We are committed to improving equity and social justice in our disciplines and communities.

  • Future practice research

    We will help shape the practices and technologies of our industries and equip our graduate researchers to proactively navigate and influence the rapidly changing world into which they contribute skills and knowledge.

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Research units

The faculty hosts a multitude of experts operating in collaborative groups who are internationally recognised leaders in their fields.

  • Advanced Digital Design + Fabrication

    ADD+F is a research hub that explores the relationship between design and technology and its impact on the built environment, following a multi-disciplinary approach including data-driven design, 3D printing, robotic, and mixed reality environments.

    • Research lab
  • Australian Centre for Architectural History, Urban and Cultural Heritage

    ACAHUCH provides an international perspective on research and teaching in architectural history and heritage with a particular emphasis on Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

    • Research centre
  • Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network

    AURIN is an initiative of the Australian Government, providing digital research infrastructure and expert eResearch support for urban, regional and social science researchers in academic, government and industry.

    • Research network
  • Informal Urbanism Research Hub

    The InfUr- Hub engages in multi-disciplinary research on the informal (self-organized) design and planning of cities - from informal settlements of the Global south to citizen-driven planning in the global North.

    • Research hub
  • Learning Environments Applied Research Network

    LEaRN investigates the connections between learning and physical spaces, collaborating with partners globally to investigate, imagine and improve physical learning environments.

    • Research network
  • Melbourne Centre for Cities

    Designed to address the challenges that city leadership faces, and the information it needs, in an interconnected and increasingly urbanised planet.

    • Research centre
  • Sustainable and Healthy Environments Lab

    Specialised in developing applied research aimed at understanding how the built environment can improve sustainability and health through the design of high-performance spaces.

    • Research lab
  • Transport, Health and Urban Systems Research Lab

    Exploring the effects of physical and social systems on the health of populations, and using big data, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to bring new insights into urban policies globally.

    • Research lab
  • Urban Ecology and Design Lab

    Merging applied urban ecology with landscape architecture and environmental planning, and implementing projects focused on climate adaptation, green infrastructure and engineered ecosystems.

    • Research lab