Overview
Project status: In progress
This study will investigate the ways in which narrative and new media can support an intergenerational approach to community planning, development, and sustainability. Community engagement plays an important role in the urban planning process. The inclusion of young people in the process allows the voice of this important group of stakeholders to be heard.
This study aligns with a greater Australian Research Council Linkage project with a focus on the development of the Lower Mill Site in Cooroy. The site is a public space in the centre of the township that holds significant historical value to the people of Cooroy. The site previously housed a lucrative timber mill that was at one stage, the largest in Queensland. Some of the buildings have since been restored and heritage listed.
A significant component of the research will involve a case study of high school students who will act as co-researchers and producers of a multimedia resource of stories that will be developed through interview, workshop, and collaborative learning.
Urban planning is a process that is traditionally undertaken by adults at a community and government level. Within this study the future users of the site, the students, will take part in its future planning. Students will act as co-researchers investigating stories relating to the site and the former workers of the timber mill. They will use these historical stories, as well as their own stories of the future to guide their understanding and ideas for the design and development of a heritage journey.
- Grantor
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- Australian Research Council Linkage Grant
- APAI PhD Scholarship
- Research leader
- Organisational unit
- Lead unit Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation Other units
- Start date
- 1st October 2008
- End date
- 1st October 2011
- Research area
- Sustainability and innovation in design
- Keywords
- urban informatics, urban and regional planning
Details
Project description
By applying an inter-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning, students who have volunteered for this project will participate in innovative activities focussing on the Lower Mill Site. The innovative activities will combine narrative and new media in designing a heritage journey incorporating elements from the past, present and future. Easily accessible new media elements including sketch up, second life, moviemaker and power point will be utilised for students to record and capture stories. Students will use the knowledge gained from these stories to inform their designs for the future use of the site. The students' ideas for the heritage journey will be presented to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council for possible inclusion at the site.
Creative Industries linkage
This project is at the nexus between Education and Creative Industries. Through this partnership each faculty brings valuable expertise to the project. Creative industries have insights and opportunities for the use of creativity through new media in the collection of stories from the past (the former mill workers) and the future (the students' ideas) for inclusion at the site.
Partnerships
- QUT Creative Industries Faculty
- QUT Faculty of Education
- Noosa District State High School
- Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Publications and output
- To include this important group of stakeholders in the urban planning process.
- To utilise narrative and new media in urban planning with young people.
- To inform future planners and designers of urban spaces and curriculum as to the value of including young people in community engagement activities.
- To forge relationships between students and community as they experience real world scenarios.
- For participants to gain knowledge of their local area, community engagement and research.
- For participants to access new media applications.
