space laboratory for architectural
research and design
Cities in the Asia-Pacific region have currently an urbanization of 42 percent and growth rate of 2.5 percent p.a., having to accommodate an additional 1.7 billion people in the next 40 years. This represents a doubling of the current urban population.
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UNESCO, the UN nodal agency for education, science, culture and architecture, has made sustainability a key topic in its development oriented activities.
The UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the Pacific Region, was established on 01 August 2008 and is held by Professor Steffen Lehmann. It is an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and The University of Newcastle, Australia. The mission of the UNESCO Chair is to conduct pragmatic and innovative strategic research, as well as to offer advice and capacity building in order to support sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific Region.
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SL speaking to Government of Mauritius, March 2009 |
The Challenge: A new roadmap for solving Global Warming
Climate change presents the region with tremendous challenges. The Asia-Pacific Region is the world’s fastest growing region and one of the major sources of greenhouse gases, likely to be severely affected by the impact of global warming on regional economies, environment, society and the lives of ordinary citizens.
The mission and aims of the new UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific Region are in line with the UNESCO mission and programmes: International research collaboration and capacity building, with a special focus on initiatives within the region. The forecasts of the UN Habitat Forum indicate that over 90 per cent urban growth over the next 15 years which will occur primarily in developing countries. Asia alone will account for more than half of the world’s urban population. While the Asia-Pacific Region is experiencing rapid economic growth and extensive urbanization, coupled with continued population increases, the region still faces the challenging issues of poverty and insufficient sustainable management of its urbanization processes. Many of the current developments negatively impact on natural resources and the environment through poor planning, misinformed urban design, air and water pollution and an increase in waste generation.
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SL in India, with Professor N. Chhaya, Dean of CEPT in Ahmedabad, November 2007 |
Mission Statement: A new urban Asia-Pacific
The currently emerging Asia-Pacific Region is transforming it’s self due to complex conditions of continuous change. In the face of mounting challenges, the mission of the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development will be to identify effective strategies and propose practical solutions to support sustainable urban development in the Asia-Pacific Region, whilst looking ahead to the future.
Increasing expectations and forecasts indicate that the Asia-Pacific Region will play an important role in international efforts that deal with climate change and other critical environmental issues. It is vital to carry out appropriate urban development proposals based on the conditions specific to each area of the region, which is characterized by great diversity in terms of economy, politics, culture, climate and the natural environment. It is a region of rapid change, cultural alienation and environmental crisis, with a threatening divide between city and countryside. To carry out strategic research from an Asia-Pacific perspective, the UNESCO Chair will support managing this rapid urbanization and globalization process and enhance collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, such as national governments, local and regional authorities, businesses, non-governmental organizations, universities, other experts and citizens. Research results will be disseminated freely around the world, contributing to the transition towards a more sustainable society. Cities (both in developed and developing countries in the Asia-Pacific Region) can make a real difference in terms of mitigating their global environmental impacts through:
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Diagram 1: Increasing Energy-efficiency |
Quality urban design should be the first strategy utilized to reduce the need for fossil-fuel energy. It is important to note that many improvements do not require heavy financial investment. In many cases measures that bring global environmental benefits can also bring economic savings to a city and a nation, creating new jobs and a future-proofed economy.
It's not that we cannot afford doing it.
The truth is that we cannot afford not doing it.
Aims of the UNESCO Chair
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SL speaks at World EXPO Forum in Shanghai, Aug. 2009 |
The establishment of the first UNESCO Chair in Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific
Officially launched in 2008, the newly established UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the Pacific and the Chair in Architectural Design at the University of Newcastle (Australia), have been combined to maximize synergies and intensify research activities. This is Asia and Australia’s first UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Development and the first UNESCO Chair established in New South Wales. The holder of the chair is Professor Steffen Lehmann. The UNESCO Chair is a research unit located at the host institution, The University of Newcastle and is part of that University’s s_Lab Space Laboratory for Architectural Research and Design.
Most energy is consumed and most waste produced in cities.
It is projected that in the next 50 years,
two-thirds of humanity will be living in towns and cities.
Global warming and urbanization are closely interlinked.
Rapid urbanization, and its impact on communities and the environment, is one of the most pressing of today’s issues.
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SL with director Singapore Environment Institute, Mr Ong, Sep. 2009 |
Programmes and Partnerships
The UNESCO Chair and the University’ of Newcastle’s s_Lab collaborate with an international group of experts, including leading scientists, ecologists, landscape architects, engineers, architects, industrial designers, sociologists, manufacturers of building components and many others. The UNESCO Chair and the s_Lab also consults city governments, local communities and the private sector on issues of sustainable urban development. The key principles of ‘Green Urbanism’ have been developed and published as a conceptual model and practical decision-making tool to manage urban growth.
The University of Newcastle, Australia is a leader in research in environmental sustainability, taking advantage of innovative synergies between the various existing research centers, such as the Priority Research Centers for Energy and the Management of Climate Change Impact and the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment. Collaborations with universities in China, India, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The Philippines, Bangladesh, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and various other Pacific Island nations, have been established.
Transforming Cities:
We need innovative planning methodologies
for sustainable urban growth.
There is an urgent need to build
more energy-efficient cities and neighborhoods,
based on renewable energy sources.
Diagram 2 : The various priority research areas under the UNESCO Chair.
Main Research Areas of the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development
There are a variety of research initiatives carried out under the UNESCO Chair, developing into an internationally recognized platform of excellence, with increased engagement in strategic and enduring partnerships with government and industry. How should cities and communities grow? Outmoded forms of urban planning can make things worse. A paradigm shift is necessary to tackle the enormous global challenges. While extreme urbanization processes in Asia and the Pacific Region are redefining conventional Urban Design theories, research in these 10 topics has gained significance.
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SL with Professor M. Devadas, Dean of Architecture School in Chennai, India, November 2007 |
List of some of the Collaborative Research Initiatives in Sustainable Urban Development
Urban Design, Sustainable Cities and Mobility Research
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Diagram 2: China: 400 new cities in 20 years. |
Cities are the engines of economic growth. As architects and urban designers we are in the business of the future. The task that the people charge us with is to anticipate, to comprehend and to deal with the challenges of future cities. And then, to imagine and identify a vision for their future.
Renewable Energy and Materials Research
Compact Mixed-use Communities: New typologies for densification
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SL with Prof. K.T. Ravindran and Prof. Ashok Lall at SPA, Delhi 2008 |
Urban Water Management and Biodiversity Research
Building Technology and Construction Systems Research
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SL with Professor Chaman Gupta at Golconde House in Pondicherry, India, November 2007 |
Upgrading the Public Space Network Research
Social Sustainability and Cultural Identity Research
What is the s_Lab Space Laboratory?
The s_Lab Space Laboratory for Architectural Research and Design (Sydney-Berlin) is a leading international inter-disciplinary research cluster conducting research in energy-efficient architecture and urban design. Its work is research-based and implementation-oriented. The s_Lab was established in Berlin by Professor Steffen Lehmann in 1993, with the express purpose to work simultaneously in the 3 arenas of research (discovery), practice (application) and teaching (learning). The s_Lab is aware of the role buildings and cities play in energy consumption, with over 50% of energy expenditure taking place in the built environment. The independent s_Lab researches realistic and effective solutions for large-scale green buildings and sustainable city growth in a global context. Over the last 15 years, the s_Lab has received significant awards, prizes and research grants for its built works, publications and diverse educational activities.
Australia is fortunate: We have enormous amounts of clean energy – just think of solar and coastal winds – combined with a relatively small population and closeness to the Asia-Pacific Rim. This allows us to undertake experiments and research that cannot be done anywhere else.
Professor Steffen Lehmann
Diagram 3 : The UNESCO Chair and the s_Lab are active in all 3 arenas of teaching, research and practice. This is highly appropriate to the inter-disciplinary character of the research group.
The UNESCO Chair holder, Professor Steffen Lehmann
Professor Steffen Lehmann, PhD, holds the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the Pacific, as well as the Professorial Chair in Architectural Design at The University of Newcastle, Australia.
Professor Lehmann is a widely published author and scholar and is Executive Director of the s_Lab Space Laboratory for Architectural Research and Design. A German-born architect and urban designer, he is editor of the US based Journal of Green Building and an advisor to government, city councils and industry. Since the early 1990s he has researched, built and taught in the area of energy-efficient buildings and cities, work which he has presented at more than 180 conferences in 12 countries. He holds 3 post-graduate degrees and worked with both James Stirling in London and Arata Isozaki in Tokyo, after graduating from the Architectural Association School in London. Prior to his appointment to a Professorship in December 2002, he ran his own ideas-driven practice in Berlin for over 10 years. In recognition of the international significance of his built and theoretical work he has been invited as Visiting Professor to conduct design studios at leading universities in six countries. His latest books include: ‘Back to the City. Strategies for Informal Urban Design’ (2008); and ‘The Principles of Green Urbanism. Regenerating the Post-industrial City’ (2009). For further information, go to: www.slab.com.au
Our cities need to change and grow in a more sustainable way. Density, climate and renewable energy sources are hereby key criteria. Installing green systems from the ground-up is easier than retrofitting the existing quarters.
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For further information
Web portal: www.slab.com.au
UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the Pacific
Professor Steffen Lehmann
School of Architecture and Built Environment
The University of Newcastle, University Drive
Callaghan NSW2308, Australia
Telephone: + 61 - (0)2 – 4921 5771
Email: Steffen.Lehmann@newcastle.edu.au
For international postgraduate students or scholarship applicants:
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/internationalstudents/
Disclaimer: This text might not necessarily reflect the opinion of UNESCO or the University of Newcastle.
