Current Activities
How does VEIL "reveal the present"?
Much of what will exist in 25 years time already exists in some form now - this is true for technologies, resources and the ways people work together to create new solutions. While there will inevitably be major changes in coming years, it is likely that many of these changes will involve the rapid adaptation, development and scale-up of innovations that already exist in some embryonic form now.
VEIL looks for these embryonic innovations now, searching for signposts to more sustainable futures that can then be actively and intentionally developed. Our work to find and communicate these innovations occurs through our own research and seminars, as well the work done through visioning projects involving many Victorian design students and staff.
A one year project to critically evaluate programs of action around the world involving urban communities, at a local, precinct or city level, intended to bring about rapid societal transformation - from 'below'. Will also involve a detailed evaluation of the VEIL Eco-Acupuncture project with a focus on understanding its impact relative to the other international examples evaluated; to understand what worked and what did not, and to refine it process and practice. Then to develop a synthesis in order to extend research and action programs of the University aimed at catalysing and monitoring urban transformations related to climate and peak oil – 'from below'.
Collaboration: MSSI research grant
Full Title "Resilient Post-Carbon Futures ‘From Below’: The potential for rapid systemic transformation from community engagement and visioning at a local, precinct or city level"
VEIL Lead: Chris Ryan
A new investigation of the opportunities and barriers to the production, distribution and consumption of local food (particularly peri-urban) in the City of Casey (a Melbourne urban boundary suburb); modelling and trial of a 'food hub' to change the economics of consumption of local food with viable support for farmer-producers. A two-year VicHealth funded Innovation grant.
Collaboration: Casey City Council, Eaterprises, VicHealth Innovation Grant
Full Title "How Can Food Hubs Catalyse Healthy and Resilient Local Food Systems in Victoria: Developing a Food Hub in the City of Casey"
VEIL Lead: Kirsten Larsen
An extension of a VEIL research scoping project completed in early 2011 (funded from a VicHealth Discovery Grant). This new two-year research project is ARC funded, with Deakin University (lead) VEIL, CSIRO and ANU. It will "use an innovative scenario modelling approach to quantify the potential impacts of population growth, consumption patterns, urban form, agricultural practices and transport systems with emerging climate and environmental challenges, on Australia's future food security."
Collaboration: CSIRO, Deakin University, ANU
VEIL Lead: Kirsten Larsen
A natural disaster resilience project with two regional Victorian Cities. Investigation of designing (with community engagement) for extreme (outlier) climate change events. Analysing institutional responses to the preferred design responses. A 1.5 yr NRDG funded project with partners including RMIT (Centre for Design); ICLEI (oceania); Deakin University; Latrobe University (Bendigo).
Collaboration: Surf Coast Shire and Buloke Shire
VEIL Lead: Che Biggs
