Project: Living with sea rise: Barwon Estuary Design Framework

Recipient: Rudan Fan Program: Deakin University

Recipient

Rudan Fan

Program

Master of Landscape Architecture, Deakin University

Project Statement

In Australia, around 85 percent of residents live within 50 kilometres of the coastline. In considering the effects of climate change, rising sea levels present one of the most significant challenges for human and non-human ecosystems. The project site lies within the Barwon River Estuary, in the Greater Geelong region. As a coastal case study, Barwon Estuary Design Framework presents a vision of how a resilient living environment in a coastal region might be created that responds to climate change.

The project proposes a three-stage process of long-term planning, “accept-transform-adapt,” to develop an amphibious coastal living environment, while introducing sustainable and dynamic landscape interventions that increase awareness of climate change impacts. Barwon Estuary Design Framework demonstrates how nature-based infrastructure can be used to create vibrant spaces that encourage a harmonious co-existence between humans and nature.

01 — The inland amphibious living environment draws attention to climate change impacts; the design in dry weather (left) and during a storm surge (right).

02 — Shoreline strategy: the framework presents a vision for a responsive coastal landscape that fosters co-existence between humans and nature in an amphibious environment.