Storm in a brickworks

Strategies to deal with storm water runoff need careful planning, exemplified by the furore around the Burwood brickworks development stormwater system.

The high rise life

Nobody likes living in small, noisy, cramped apartments, particularly parents with children, but the rising costs and increasing density of Australia’s cities is leaving people with no choice.

Soaring pump prices might not boost electric car sales

Soaring petrol prices in the wake of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine are unlikely to significantly boost the sales of electric vehicles in Australia, due to high vehicle prices and a shortage of charging points.

Water decision making in Australia: Are politicians performing?

The ongoing floods in New South Wales have again put the focus on water management, just as droughts have done before, and a range of water issues and the need for better long term planning and investment could factor into the forthcoming Federal election.

The living city

Biological metaphors for the city abound in daily use – you may live close to an “arterial” road or in the “heart” of a metropolis – and the use of such metaphors indicates an underlying naturalism in our thinking about the city.

Super cool building solutions for our cities

New building materials that reflect rather than absorb solar energy can reduce peak temperatures in our cities by up to four degrees.

Cracks in the system

It is almost impossible for purchasers to predict whether their new apartment will have building defects, a report into the apartment building industry has found.

Engineers should study ethics as well as maths

The Miami apartment collapse is a grim reminder of why engineering matters, and why comprehensive education in ethics should be embedded in the training of engineers.

Kitchen capers

Many Australians locked-down at home will be eyeing home improvements to pass the time productively, and the kitchen offers most ‘bang for buck’ when remodeling a room.

Melbourne dweller’s “Russian” winter

Australia’s housing just isn’t good enough when it comes to dealing with winter temperatures – we need to take lessons from the Northern Hemisphere.

More green, fewer blues

Our cities are increasingly crowded but people feel lonelier than ever. As our trees and gardens are replaced by ever denser housing and concrete drives, retaining more green space would help people socialise or commune with nature.

The road to hell

Health impacts of major transport projects are too often glossed over during the planning phases, allowing issues such as air and noise pollution, residents’ mental health and impact on children’s health to escape the scrutiny they deserve.