Index
Environment, Planning and Sustainability research and publications
RMIT hosts one of Australia’s strongest concentrations of researchers in the field of Urban and Regional Planning. All our staff hold PhDs, and RMIT received the equal highest ranking in the field nationally (‘above world standard’ or a numerical score of 4) in the Australian Research Council’s 2010 Excellence in Research for Australia exercise, the results of which were released in 2011 (this ranking was shared with four other universities). Our research has a strong practical orientation, and enriches teaching in the undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Research is conducted in a number of collaborative groups and centers, including:
- Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute
- Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future
- Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group
- Peri-urban Region Research Group
Research focus
Research in the Environment, Planning and Sustainability discipline 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
- Food security and planning
- Education for sustainability
- Sustainability assessment of urban fringe development
- Disaster recovery and infrastructure management
The influence of staff research projects can be seen across the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programs.
Staff contribute to both scholarly and public debate in these areas through research publications, research supervision and involvement with public policy development and projects.
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 Ho Chi Minh City.
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.