RMIT University
Browse

Jabiru Masterplan and Architectural Vision

model
posted on 2024-10-31, 19:52 authored by Ben MilbourneBen Milbourne, John DoyleJohn Doyle
BACKGROUND: This research project is about innovating urban design for tourism in ecologically and socially sensitive environments in Australia. It responds to current research explored by Winy Mass (of The Why Factory) and Felix Madrazo (of Supersudaca) investigating relationships between tourism policy, ownership and urban configuration, with economic contribution of tourism to local communities in Italy and the Caribbean respectively. Building on these ideas, this urban design project attends to the specific conditions of an Aboriginal owned and led project within a World Heritage location in Australia. CONTRIBUTION: In 2018 the researchers were engaged by Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation to develop a masterplan and architectural vision for the town of Jabiru. Recognising the environmental carrying capacity of the site and Traditional Owner’s capacity for genuine cultural exchange, the project aimed to limit the number of visitors while increasing visitor spend. Urban design for this strategy reoriented the town towards its existing artificial lake introducing a visitor precinct around its northern edge with a world heritage centre and high-yield/low-volume accommodation; introduction of a ‘green-belt’ buffer along its southern edge and expansion of the town centre at the western tip of the lake to act as a hinge between the resident and visitor zones. SIGNIFICANCE: The work attracted national media attention on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) website (26/07/18). It was shown in the ‘Jabiru NT’ episode of ABC TV series ‘Back Roads’ (10/02/20). Through interviews with Traditional Owners the documentary noted the agency of the masterplan to shift the town’s economy from mining to tourism. The work was also published on the Architecture Australia website (07/08/18) and in the Landscape Australia journal (issues 160 and 162), evidencing both the broad public and disciplinary impact of the work.

History

Subtype

  • Original Design/Architectural Work

Outlet

‘Backroads: Jabiru NT’, Series 5, Episode 16.

Place published

Sydney, Australia

Extent

Architectural Design –Urban Design/Masterplan

Language

English

Medium

Architectural Design –Urban Design/Masterplan

Former Identifier

2006097788

Esploro creation date

2020-06-22

Publisher

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Usage metrics

    Creative Works

    Keywords

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC