Index
Environment, Planning and Sustainability research and publications
Undergraduate Environment Research Project in Vietnam
Each year since 2002, selected students undertake a research project in Vietnam on environmental issues relevant to the RMIT University Vietnam campus in the South Saigon Development Zone.
The project provides a real experience that replicates professional practice, allowing students to apply their core knowledge and skills from a range of perspectives to an environmental issue.
More information on the research project in Vietnam
Research focus and strengths
Research in the Environment and Planning Program is focused on environmental sustainability and land use planning. Within this broader focus we have particular strengths in the following areas:
- Urban and regional planning including peri-urban development
- Land use and environmental planning
- Transport planning
- Environmental policy and management including energy policy
- Natural resource management
- Education for sustainability
Staff contribute to both scholarly and public debate in these areas through research publications, research supervision and involvement with public policy development and projects. The Program is currently involved in four large research grants awarded through the Australian Research Council Linkage Projects grants scheme. These cover the areas of biodiversity planning in urban fringe lands, ecologically sustainable urban development, local governance and community building, and education for sustainability.
Program staff have also received research funding through other competitive grant schemes such as the Victorian Government Local Sustainability research fund and the Handbury Fund, as well as through commissioned research from Land and Water Australia, the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, Department of Sustainability and Environment, and a range of other agencies. Environment and Planning research involves extensive collaboration with a large number of industry partners including state government agencies, local councils, property developers, water agencies, and professional organisations. Our research collaborations also involve other areas within RMIT, such as the Centre for Design, as well as researchers within in other universities.
The Program is attracting increasing numbers of domestic and international research students. At the beginning of 2009, a total of approximately 18 PhD and research Masters students were supervised by Environment and Planning staff.