The Integration of Safety Values and Measures in the Design of Resilient Public Spaces / A Integração de Valores e Medidas de Segurança no Projeto de Espaços Públicos Resilientes
For a few years now I’ve had the goal of publishing at least one article per year in Portuguese, my mother tongue. In 2020 I had the great pleasure of publishing an article in the Projectare journal, which is published in my alma mater UFPel. Read more…
Urban Design and Economic Growth: An Analytical Tale of Two Tropical Cities
I have recently had an article published in collaboration with two colleagues from James Cook University, where I worked until January 2020. Read more…
AECURN/ACRN Symposium
ACRN (Australian Cities Research Network) and AECURN (Australian Early Career Urban Research Network) Queensland are organising a symposium to be held in February 2021 and we are inviting ECRs working on areas related to urban environments to add these dates the calendar. The symposium will be fully online and below is a glimpse into what we are preparing. Read more…
Cities will endure, but urban design must adapt to coronavirus risks and fears
Silvia Tavares, Author provided
Silvia Tavares, University of the Sunshine Coast and Nicholas Stevens, University of the Sunshine Coast
The long-term impacts of coronavirus on our cities are difficult to predict, but one thing is certain: cities won’t die. Diseases have been hugely influential in shaping our cities, history shows. Cities represent continuity regardless of crises – they endure, adapt and grow. Read more…
Urban Planning & Design for the Sustainable Development Goals
Dr Taha Chaiechi and I are delivering a presentation this Thursday (29th August) about the JCU Urban Thinkers Campus and their related topics. Read more…
‘Streetfight’
“Every community has excuses for why changing the way they use their streets is impossible, impractical, or just insane. I learned firsthand that there is no end to the reasons for inaction. But inaction is inexcusable. As our cities grow, leaders and the people they serve cannot accept dysfunctional streets; they must fight to change them. The fight for these changes—well, that’s just part of the job.”
Urban Design Studio in flipped classroom mode
Last week I taught for the first time the Urban Design Studio at James Cook University. It was a very intense but enjoyable week with classes from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Read more…
City temperatures and city economics, a hidden relationship between sun and wind and profits
Silvia Tavares, James Cook University and Taha Chaiechi, James Cook University
Urban design undoubtedly influences the urban economy. A simple thing like designing an area to make it more walkable can boost local business profits. This can also increase real estate value, create more and better jobs and generate stronger local economies.
Street temperatures also determine their walkability. With climate change bringing longer and more frequent heatwaves, street temperatures will become even higher than at present. This will reduce walkability and, in turn, local business profitability. Read more…
Happy Healthy Cities in Tropical Environments
What does it take to be a happy and healthy city under the beautiful sun of tropical places? Read more…
Cities can grow without wrecking reefs and oceans. Here’s how
Karine Dupré, Author provided
Silvia Tavares, James Cook University and Karine Dupré, Griffith University
“What happens if the water temperature rises by a few degrees?” is the 2018 International Year of the Reef leading question. While the ocean is the focus, urbanisation is the main reason for the rising temperatures and water pollution. Yet it receives little attention in this discussion.
In turn, rising temperatures increase downpours and urban floods, adding to the pressures on urban infrastructure. Read more…
SILVIA TAVARES 