Case Studies
University of Western Australia
Design Feature
Type of project
Infrastructure
State
Western Australia
Location
Urban
Established in 1911 as Western Australia’s first university, the University of Western Australia (UWA) is Western Australia’s top-ranked university and one of only a handful of top 100 universities in the country. UWA provides a healthy active environment in which to work, live and study, attracting the best students and staff from around the world. UWA is located five kilometres from Perth’s central business district, adjacent to the beautiful Kings Park and the Swan River.
Supporting excellence through healthy built environments
Support for public transport
UWA has a commitment to students, staff and the community that drives healthy active outcomes. The following are some of the initiatives undertaken by the University and the design features of the Perth campus that support healthy outcomes:
Commitment to local heritage
The preservation of heritage places, such as the iconic Hackett Memorial Buildings, ensures recognition of the campus locally, nationally and internationally, generating a strong sense of place. Visitors come to the campus to walk around the beautiful grounds and view the inspiring architecture.
UWA has a commitment to students, staff and the community that drives healthy active outcomes. The following are some of the initiatives undertaken by the University and the design features of the Perth campus that support healthy outcomes:
Commitment to local heritage
The preservation of heritage places, such as the iconic Hackett Memorial Buildings, ensures recognition of the campus locally, nationally and internationally, generating a strong sense of place. Visitors come to the campus to walk around the beautiful grounds and view the inspiring architecture.
Support for a local sense of place
The University has a Campus Plan that acknowledges the landscape characteristics of the campus to the east abutting the Swan River and reinforces an urban campus approach to the west. This urban form provides a legible landscape for students, staff and visitors to navigate a permeable campus.
The University has a Campus Plan that acknowledges the landscape characteristics of the campus to the east abutting the Swan River and reinforces an urban campus approach to the west. This urban form provides a legible landscape for students, staff and visitors to navigate a permeable campus.
Shelter for pedestrians
The University is linked by a number of inviting pedestrian promenades. These architectural features provide shelter and protection to pedestrians all year round.
The University is linked by a number of inviting pedestrian promenades. These architectural features provide shelter and protection to pedestrians all year round.
Program of events
The public and students enjoy a range of activities. Sporting competitions, international arts festivals, public lectures and theatre events are just some activities on offer. The success of the Somerville outdoor cinema engenders a sense of place and ownership by the greater community.
The public and students enjoy a range of activities. Sporting competitions, international arts festivals, public lectures and theatre events are just some activities on offer. The success of the Somerville outdoor cinema engenders a sense of place and ownership by the greater community.
Project team
- The University of Western Australia
- Department of Transport
- Department of Planning Lands and Heritage
Project cost
Ongoing
Health value
- UWA provides student accommodation within a 400-metre walkable catchment of the main campus, encouraging students to walk to lectures, thereby increasing physical activity and reducing traffic congestion.
- Integrating public transport facilities into the fabric of the University campus and providing more bicycle bays and end-of-trip facilities will support the increased use of public transport and bicycles.
- UWA continues to proactively engage with the State Government in relation to the proposed light rail project linking QEII and UWA, which would increase public transport options for students, staff and businesses in the area.
- The UWA Campus Plan 2000 capped the number of car parking bays at the Perth campus. The cap has resulted in a mode shift from private car use to public transport, cycling and walking. The number of students accessing the campus by private vehicle has remained stable, even though overall student numbers have increased.
Economic value
- With 23,000 students attending UWA, and most at the Perth campus, there are congestion concerns along Stirling Highway. Investing in public transport and increasing accessibility will benefit not only the University community, but businesses and organisations along Stirling Highway.
- In 2017-18, Australian education export services were valued at a net international income of $33 billion – Australia’s 3rd largest export behind iron ore and coal. This figure has doubled since 2012-13 and is expected to climb annually. As one of the country’s top research universities, UWA will attract students in a very competitive market.
Environmental value
The University is planning to be an energy neutral site by 2025 through the creation of a more clean, green and sustainable campus.
Each year the Student Guild supports EnviroFest, which has a focus on the natural environment and provides opportunities to learn more about sustainable initiatives on campus. Gardening workshops and public discussions about important environmental issues are features of this event.
The Green Building program engages and educates staff in modifying behaviours and practices for the benefit of sustainability of the environment. Aims include:
Each year the Student Guild supports EnviroFest, which has a focus on the natural environment and provides opportunities to learn more about sustainable initiatives on campus. Gardening workshops and public discussions about important environmental issues are features of this event.
The Green Building program engages and educates staff in modifying behaviours and practices for the benefit of sustainability of the environment. Aims include:
- Reduction of energy consumption
- Reduction of water consumption and
- Use of sustainable transport
Social value
- UWA plays a significant role in the collective imagination of the Western Australian community. It reflects our collective history and achievements, and highlights our future potential. The University continues to positively contribute to the community through its many programs and festivals and its campus is home to galleries, museums and theatres.
Use value
- There are more than 23,000 students enrolled at UWA, including some 5000 international students from more than 100 countries.
- Large numbers of recreational and cultural activities occur on campus, providing an enhanced campus life for the students.
- In 2019, the number of students undertaking higher education in Australia was 1.5 million. This figure has risen steadily year on year. High-quality campuses will have a distinct market advantage in this competitive market.
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Education and Training, Higher Education,
Australian Government – Australian Education International Research Snapshot Australian student mobility in the higher education sector, November 2011.
Australian Government – Department of Industry, Innovation Science, Research and Tertiary Education, Student 2011 Full Year: Selected Higher Education Statistics Publication, Summary of the 2011 full year higher education student statistics. Sourced on 4 December 2012 from: http://www.innovation.gov.au/HigherEducation/HigherEducationStatistics/StatisticsPublications/Pages/default.aspx
Ernest and Young, University of the future A thousand year old industry on the cusp of profound change, 2012, Australia
State of Western Australia, Department of Transport, Public Transport for Perth in 2031. Mapping out the future for Perth’s Public Transport Network Sourced on 4 Dec 2012 from: http://www.transport.wa.gov.au
The University of Western Australia Campus Plan 2010
The University of Western Australia website
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