Regenerated Towns In Regenerated Nature: Urban case studies in the Wimmera region, Victoria, Australia

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Mauro Baracco led the project 'Regenerated Towns In Regenerated Nature.' Using 5 towns in Victoria's Wimmera region as case studies, he investigated strategies for urban, landscape, infrastructural, economic and social rehabilitation of Australian rural towns in decline through integration between architectural/landscape design and reforestation activities. The outcome includes a festival of exhibitions in regional galleries, public forums, and community events in the West Wimmera in November 2014. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: New knowledge has been created through the investigation of an innovative design approach based on the integration of built and open vegetated space as a means to rehabilitate urban, economic and social environments. The project's partnership model is highly innovative, fostering important collaborations between architects, economists, environmental scientists, farmers, land care groups, government bodies and other organisations related to the Habitat 141 (a 50-year project coordinated by Greening Australia for the restoration of iconic landscapes between Victoria and New South Wales). The exhibited outcomes and their discussion through a public forum aim to trigger further collaborations in urban, social and economic regeneration. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of this project is evidenced by its publication in Landscape Architecture Australia, the national magazine of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (the peak industry body for the professional landscape architect). It also received funding from West Wimmera Shire Council and Horsham Rural City Council to support the website and further research.