High Density Happiness speaker series to feature at Jewell Station
In the midst of Australia’s largest property development boom, and as Melbourne vies to retain its mantel as the world’s most liveable city, building and design industry leaders and the public will be drawn to Jewell Station, A New Urban Village by Neometro for a free High Density Happiness speaker series on housing futures and urban sustainability.
The High Density Happiness program, an initiative of design and socially-led developer Neometro’s Open Journal publication, has evolved from the findings of a University of Western Australia study into maximising the health benefits and minimising harmful impacts of high density living.
According to Neometro Director James Tutton, the research conducted by the University of WA gives the property development community a clear template of how to deliver projects that will contribute to a world that is physically, emotionally and environmentally healthy.
“It’s our hope that the High Density Happiness speaker series, hosted by the editor of our Open Journal initiative, will enable both industry and the community to engage with the idea of urban fulfilment,” Mr Tutton said.
Victorian Government landowner Victrack and urban farming initiative 3000acres will partner with Neometro to present the first session in the series, ‘Vacant to Verdant’. This topic explores the ways in which un-activated and discussed industrial sites can be converted into creative functional areas that benefit residents and connect the whole neighbourhood.
Next will be an evening with BCorp on ‘Beyond the Bottom Line’. The panel will delve into the quantifiable benefits for businesses that look beyond profit, especially those within the property industry for whom buildings cannot succeed without community.
A session on ‘Accessible and Resilient Communities’ in partnership with placemakers Village Well and Contemporary Arts Precinct’s Marcus Westbury will follow. It will explore how people beyond the existing narrow definition of apartment dwellers – namely first homebuyers, professionals and downsizers – can be drawn to and included in these growing urban communities.
Closing out the series for 2016 will be a panel discussion on ‘Elevating the Family Home’, featuring designer Clare Cousins and developer Milieu Property, offering commentary on the role design has to play in creating apartments that cater to residents’ changing needs and the impact of design on liveability.
More green updates
