The Victorian Bushfires: Recovery + Reconstruction

PANEL TALK

+

EXHIBITION

At RMIT bldg 50, Orr St, Carlton (off Victoria St, between Lygon and Cardigan)

Thursday, 5 November 2009

Exhibition opens from 6:30 PM

Talk starts at 7:00 PM

This is our last words event for 2009 and it's going to be a big one! Another bushfire season has recently commenced and we've secured four speakers to address the recovery process since Black Saturday and the challenges that lie ahead, each from a unique professional perspective. It's also an opportunity to exhibit the work of those architects who rose to the challenge responding to the aftermath through design, many in a pro bono capacity, and 17 projects will be exhibited on the night.

The wake of the devastating Victorian bushfires of 2009 was met with a massive public outpouring of emotion and support and an equally powerful wave of criticism of existing defence mechanisms and political rhetoric that produced the 'we will rebuild' mantra. Nine months on, we will reflect on the progress and lessons learnt thus far and the ongoing longterm recovery process. What are the prospects for the longterm recovery and rebuilding of devastated communities? Are vulnerable communities any better prepared for this summer? How might built environment professionals respond to the challenge of planning and designing for areas at risk? These are just some of the questions that we will discuss in our November edition of Words@bldg50.

The panel consists of:

DR SUSIE BURKE BA(Hons), PHD, MAPS. A psychologist working at the Australian Psychological Society. A significant focus of her work in the Public Interest Team at the APS is looking at the role that psychology can play in helping us understand the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change and other environmental threats, including natural disasters.

GREG BOX Manager of Arts, Culture & Heritage, Shire of Yarra Ranges. Greg oversees six cultural facilities, a cultural development program, an indigenous collection, public art and festivals and events. He was in control of the Healesville Relief Centre on Sunday, 8 February.

BEATRIZ MATURANA Architect, MA in Urban Design. President of Architects for Peace. Beatriz has worked in community development in countries including Nicaragua and East Timor, and is a passionate advocate for social justice. Her paper 'Victoria's Bushfires: isn't it time to reflect on new urban strategies?' was written in response to the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

Chair ANTHONY MCINNENY Practicing urban artist, studio leader in the RMIT Art in Public Space program and Coordinator, Cultural Planning and Development at the City of Knox. Anothny has worked in the developing world in the area of cultural restoration after human-made and natural disaster.

An exhibition of 17 design projects for areas affected by the bushfires this year will be presented on the night. These projects showcase different responses and solutions to the reconstruction process.

The exhibitors are:

Zen Architects
Irons McDuff Architecture
Tom Morgan/Sharkmouse
Hayball Pty Ltd
Splinter Society
Architects Eat
Edwards Moore
Julie Firkin Architect
John Wardle Architects
Clare Cousins Architecture + Interior Design
Monash University Architecture students
Umberto Emoli
John Henry
Emergency Architects Australia (with Antarctica/BVN/ARG/Architectus)
Clinton Murray (with S2F)
John King Architects
pH Architects

Entry by gold coin donation, refreshments provided. We hope you can join us for the last time in 2009!