Contact us
- Smart Green Cities Research Centre
- Room 206, Level 2, 6 Science Road
- Macquarie University NSW 2109
- T: +61 (2) 9850 6048
- E: smartgreencities@mq.edu.au
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Smart Green Cities Research Centre creates collaborative evidence-based solutions for liveable smart green cities of the future.
About us
Cities are dynamic and complex by their very nature. The future liveability, vibrancy and sustainability of our cities is challenged by multiple factors including:
- population growth
- natural resource constraints
- climate change.
At the same time, exceptional opportunities to achieve huge advances for our cities and our communities have been created by:
- convergence of established and emerging areas of research
- broad technology development and adoption
- analysis and prediction tools becoming more sophisticated.
Smart Green Cities was established to address these challenges and capture the best these opportunities offer.
Our research priorities
We aim to create liveable, future cities by bringing together world class expertise in the following research areas:
Nature Rich Cities
Nature Rich Cities research explores:
- design and engineering for biodiversity
- nature-based solutions
- conservation and ecosystem repair
- pollution mitigation.
Watch the video about this theme here
There is growing public and private investment focused on infrastructure and accelerating urban renewal. It is essential that we use innovative partnerships to maximise the environmental, social and economic returns of natural assets such as:
- public and private green spaces
- waterways within cities.
By integrating nature-based solutions into mainstream urban policy, planning and governance, construction and maintenance, we will:
- create liveable cities where people and nature can thrive
- realise the co-benefits of green and blue infrastructure.
Living Seawalls picture credit Living Seawalls.
Connected Cities
Connected Cities research explores:
- real time monitoring and management
- renewable energy integration
- smart buildings and mobility systems
- sensing technologies
Watch the video about this theme here
The IoT is the logical end to the journey of two technologies: the internet and wireless communications. The IoT enables every object in our everyday lives to be connected to the internet.
Advanced data science and new technologies offer tremendous opportunities for:
- better decision-making and dynamic planning for complex issues – such as transport management, energy optimisation, green space and natural asset management
- nature connection and the user experience of urban spaces
- remote and cloud-based sensing and real-time control.
Healthy and Inclusive Cities
Healthy and Inclusive Cities research explores:
- health and well being
- nature connections
- environmental planning and communities
- socioecological resiliency.
Watch the video about this theme here
Urban growth and climate change are demanding innovative solutions to ensure sustainable and healthy ways of living.
Pathways for our future cities are provided by creating urban planning strategies with integrated sustainable solutions, such as:
- green-spaces for community & nature connection in urban areas
- renewable energy integration
- sustainable transport systems
- sustainable resource management and intelligent control.
Sustainable Cities
Sustainable cities research explores:
- environmental finance
- urban planning
- circular economies
- Private Property Law, Strata and Community Title.
Watch the video about this theme here
Developing innovative governance and planning models to create nature-based solutions for supporting healthy liveable cities.
Implementing nature-based solutions depends on support by markets and institutions. We undertake research for the development of the necessary economic, governance and engagement capabilities for creating healthy, liveable cities in a rapidly changing and challenging environment.
We focus on innovative economic, governance and engagement frameworks to drive, optimise and reward investment and innovation in long-term nature-based urban solutions.
