360 City Scan Report was an investigation project assessing Net Zero and the environmental sustainability of Monash University Complex.
I am proud to have been part of the Monash Net Zero Project. Working on this project I have discovered how amazing the Monash university Clayton precinct is, and I would like to encourage all those who haven’t seen it yet to go and do so.
Amongst other conclusions this extensive international team has found that Monash University Clayton is well designed and well integrated. My personal impression was that the greatness and the effort of Monash University precinct should spread and it should spread fast.
Most confronting for me personally was that surrounding neighborhoods have not been “infected’ by Monash greatness and do not provide for its needs and potential.
The next step forward must be to seek the response from the City of Monash. There is a requirement for the myriad of the residential areas, town centers, and recreational projects that should support Clayton precinct and spring out of such extensive research already undertaken.
The City Scan confirms that Monash University and the Monash Technology Precinct are well developed on the six dimensions of a sustainable city. Monash University remains committed to the Net Zero Initiative.
The university area (campus) is outstanding in its design with the availability of parks featured with indigenous plants and water-sensitive solutions. Sport and leisure facilities are available for the local community. An intelligent parking system and bus hub facilitate the mobility connection with the distant city center.
Some of the precinct’s performance could be developed further, serving the Net Zero Initiative of Monash University by reducing energy demand & GHG emissions while addressing local development needs and embracing the Monash Technology Precinct’s potential. In this respect we would like to highlight the following recommendations:
SPREAD AND CONNECT
• Strengthen collaboration with industry & government – leverage innovation implementation
• Embrace the community – work out common programs, remove barriers, and go beyond the Campus grounds
• Promote intermodal transport (External & Internal connections)
COMMUNICATE AND INSIRE
• Share the Net Zero Initiative plans and initiatives
• Inspire the local initiatives & innovation toward zero carbon
• Promote good practices & share the experience (like the Water Sensitive Urban Design, energy-efficient passive building)
CLOSE THE LOOP
• Optimize use of resources and increase energy efficiency.
• Network solutions – micro-grid extension within the Precinct, district heating and cooling network.
• Shared fleet – EV cars, bikes, digital car-pooling platform.
• Efficient use of lecture rooms & result-oriented facility management.
• Reduced use of plastic.
• Intelligent street lighting.
• Smart building technology – room activity sensors, zoning, automated shading.
• Boost the circular economy.
• Local food production (urban farming) & food donations.
• Local composting of food scraps and other organic material.
• Increase practice of waste segregation.
• Reduction of waste – reuse of plastic, and paper, promotion of repurposed materials (upcycling), reuse of pre-owned clothing, electronics, and household items, re-pair cafes.
• Selective collection and reuse of greywater.
• Facilitate digital platforms dedicated to circular economy perspectives.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
Above mentioned recommendations indicate general directions where there is a need to define projects and actions. The following steps shall be considered for further progress on the integrated path of the Net Zero Initiative implementation:
(1) A discussion shall be organized aiming at the definition of development priorities on the basis of revealed gaps.
(2) Once the priorities are established the ambition shall be precise and followed by a definition of detailed development goals such as for example (%) share of public transport users; expected energy efficiency in a different types of buildings; surface made available for solar PV installations; reduction in dependency on fossil-fuel powered transport…
(3) Finally projects shall be defined as fulfilling development goals, as well as a timeline of their implementation and Performance Indicators allowing for assessing the progress.
All the above-mentioned elements can be grouped in Development Roadmap forming the next step project.
Alongside Monash staff, leaders, and enthusiasts interviewed, the team of Tractebel, Engie and Tatjana Medvedev from Mecene have compiled this comprehensive research that should span into many future initiatives.
Link to original report can be found here.