Manufacturing Urbanism: an architectural practice for unfinished cities

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: This catalogue documents the latest tools developed in the world-leading Design Practice Program in RMIT's School of Architecture and Design. The catalogue introduces and summarises the design practice research of 14 practices. Gretchen Wilkins' writing includes research from her research and practice, entitled "Manufacturing Urbanism: an architectural practice for unfinished cities." RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: The research published in Gretchen Wilkins' essay makes original contributions to the discussion of contemporary urban development and its connections with industry and manufacturing. Wilkins' trained in the Midwest American and her work is influenced by this context, especially the relationship between industrial manufacturing and urban expansion and related shifts in economic and industrial development and population migration. Her essay charts the development of innovative approaches toward integrative urban development and strategies for urban practice. The work reflects over ten years of focussed practice in architectural and urban design, with several projects having been internationally awarded, exhibited and presented publicly. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: The research that informed this publication was funded by an ARC Discovery Grant DP110100939 by Leon van Schaik et al. The Design Practice Program that the catalogue explores has been reviewed in two leading international journals: Kester Rattenbury, 'Here be buildings' AR (Architecture Review) Academic Annual 2014, pp. 69-71; and Kester Rattenbury, 'The imagination game', Royal Institute of British Architects Journal (RIBAJ), 5 Jan 2015. Gretchen Wilkins' included research has been internationally awarded and presented at key international research conferences.