Building Communities
Parks and nature play a vital role in the development of strong, cohesive communities. Check here for articles and research on the many ways contact with nature can help to build strong social and cultural connections around the world.
Building Communities Articles
Why Art in Parks?
Art is the expression of human creativity and imagination, producing works to be enjoyed, appreciated and even challenge thinking. Public art is art that is conceived and designed largely to be in an outdoor area, accessible and appreciable by all. One place such public art is regularly found is parks.
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Urban planning and the importance of green space in cities to human and environmental health
Cities are comprised of more than just buildings and people. The most “liveable” cities – and some of the world’s most famous cities – are as known for their open space as they are for their culture.
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Sustainable Development Goals - where are we at?
The concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was created in 2012, at the United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development, called Rio+20. The SDGs will determine the future development agenda beyond 2015
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Ecoarchitecture: Is the sky the limit?
Malaysian architect and author Dr Ken Yeang has spent 40 years integrating ecological principles into building design, including into city skyscrapers.
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SwitzerlandMobility: Making it easy
An integrated recreational transport network in Switzerland helps people get active and enjoy time in nature.
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Building Communities Research
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Liveable Cities Forum: Designing Biodiversity Friendly Communities
The key outcomes and findings report from the Liveable Cities Forum: Designing Biodiversity Friendly Communities, held in Montréal, Canada in August 2011. The Liveable Cities Forum connected delegates - from across Canada and internationally - to discuss the importance of urban biodiversity conservation. The Forum provided a platform to explore biodiversity management and its application […]
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Using a Qualitative Approach to Research to Build Trust Between a Non-Aboriginal Researcher and Aboriginal Participants (Australia)
Jonathan 'Yotti' Kingsley, Rebecca Phillips, Mardie Townsend and Claire Henderson-Wilson.This article focuses on the qualitative methodologies employed in a research project developed in collaboration with Aboriginal advisors and gaining an in-depth understanding of Aboriginal Victorian peoples’ connection to their ancestral lands.
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Investigating health, economic and socio-political factors that need consideration when establishing Victorian Aboriginal land management projects
J. Kingsley, D. Aldous, M. Townsend, R. Phillips and C. Henderson-WilsonThis article focuses on three Victorian Aboriginal groups to explore elements that provide or discourage development of land management projects.
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Building Collaborative Partnerships: A Key to Increasing Indigenous Victorian Peoples’ Access to Country
Jonathan 'Yotti' Kingsley, Associate Professor David Aldous, Associate Professor Mardie Townsend and Rebecca PhillipsThis article reports on a qualitative research study undertaken with Indigenous government employees to explore ways in which Indigenous communities can access programs involving caring for Country on their traditional land.
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Economic Benefits of Accessible Green Space for Physical and Mental Health: Scoping study
CJC Consulting with Professor Ken Willis and Dr Liesl OsmanThis study investigates the economic benefits, in terms of physical and mental health, of changes in the provision of accessible greenspace.
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