Our research also showed that to achieve transformational outcomes for Greater Geelong , innovation needs to be approached differently . A new methodology is needed for “ how ” to innovate and catalyse investment if the region is to secure long term cleantech innovation and leadership .
A TRANSFORMATIONAL SOLUTION The success of establishing Geelong as a Centre of Excellence for Cleantech would be measured by its ability to attract investment to accelerate the emergence of new industries . Globally , the need to quickly transition into a more sustainable economy is challenging traditional approaches to business investment . A key enabler of achieving an economic transition is to mobilise finance – both public and private . The problem is traditional approaches are often inadequate to drive complex transitions such as the shift to a sustainable economy . 17
Climate KIC EU recently launched a global framework for Systems Innovation and Transformational Capital 18 for accelerating transition and adaption . This global best practice initiative provides a methodology for “ how ” innovation and investments can be implemented in an integrated and coordinated way to form portfolios of projects and drive transformational outcomes .
The approach is being used at a country , region , city and industry level in Europe . Climate KIC Australia has begun to apply this approach in Australia . Recent applications have included in the Industry Energy Transitions Initiative 19 and Climate Initiative for Agriculture .
Applying a Systems Thinking approach to cleantech investment would accelerate local innovation and business expansion as well as elevate the global status of the Greater Geelong region . 20
FUTURE STATE - FINDINGS FROM DEAKIN UNIVERSITY STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS Geelong could be leading the way by benchmarking international thinking about the emerging opportunities and best practice in clean technology market development , and the role that hubs / clusters / precincts / districts can play in helping to transition Geelong ’ s economy . To do this , it is important to understand what attributes will help grow the clean technology sector in Geelong . Post graduate students at Deakin University ’ s School of Architecture and Built Environment developed a body of design research work over a period of 12 months , to assist the City of Greater Geelong with their investigations .
Preliminary investigations suggest that a clustered approach with different nodes operating in the Geelong region , could facilitate different scales of opportunities from design to advanced manufacturing .
The student research work aimed to address a series of research questions focused on the development of Geelong as a Cleantech Centre of Excellence . The work was generated within the three linked post graduate subjects , SRD762 Interdisciplinary Planning and Design , SRD 760 Geo Planning and Design , and SRD764 Urban Design Studio , which form a suite of Post Graduate core and elective units within the School of Architecture and Built Environment .
The series of research questions the students addressed enabled the study : ( i ) to explore the concept of an innovation precinct ;
( ii ) to evaluate Geelong ’ s potential to be developed as a Cleantech Innovation Precinct , and , finally
( iii ) to gather innovative ideas on the physical design of a Cleantech Innovation Precinct .
Hence , the three subjects focused on conducting explorations into the definition and possible iterations of an innovation precinct at different scales of investigation . This comprised :
• a global assessment of 26 innovation precincts of differing size and focus , with each one being evaluated with respect to a Geelong centric case study , the Western Wedge a 55Ha precinct adjacent to Geelong ’ s CBD and currently undergoing significant change .
• a regional scale assessment of possible cluster locations within the Greater Geelong region , possibly extending the current scope of Cleantech and manufacturing clusters in Geelong ’ s Local Government Area ( LGA ).
• an urban design analysis and ‘ What if ?’ vision study which explores opportunities for seeding a Cleantech Centre of Excellence in the suburb of North Geelong , with a focus around North Geelong Station and the Victoria street precinct located between the Geelong Road and Thompsons Road .
STUDENT DESIGN RESPONSES Figure 1 presents very insightful concepts and design proposals for the Western Wedge developed by Jacinta Cox , a post graduate student enrolled in SRD762 Interdisciplinary Planning and Design , and studying for their Masters of Landscape Architecture with the School of Architecture and the Built Environment at Deakin University .
Figure 2 is an example of student project work 21 from an explorative study of eight precincts covering the Greater Geelong area , stretching from Lara and Avalon in the North of the municipality to Armstrong Creek in the South of the municipality . This figure presents design development and master planning visualisations developed by Adam Holmstrom .
Students considered both the potential program and brief of an innovation hub and how the facility could link with the surrounding community .
On completion of a Masterplan , students 22 then looked at the design of a Cleantech Innovation Hub at an urban and architectural scale . Students considered both the potential program and brief of an innovation hub and how the facility could link with the surrounding community . Many schemes provided both an education and employment anchor to the precinct while helping to facilitate both startup and incubator scaled operations . Other schemes considered the development of an innovation precinct facilitated through mixed use development options , of ‘ live , work , learn , innovate and play ’ as inspired by the writings of Richard Florida through ‘ The Rise of the Creative Class ’. 23 See below Figure 3 . Design proposal designed by Matt Watson , Matilda Warner and Bronte Panckridge , and Figure 4 . Design proposal designed by Luke Jennings .
VOL 16 NO 2 2023 28 www . edaustralia . com . au