This Saturday three Curtin University students from around the globe will receive a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for research projects that highlight the need for smart, sustainable urban planning.
The students, Joe Kott from San Francisco, Annie Matan from Fremantle and Roman Trubka from Vancouver, have completed studies that focus on public transport, pedestrian access in cities and the importance of city centres.
Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute Director, Professor Peter Newman, said that all three projects demonstrate CUSP’s commitment to becoming a leader in sustainable change through collaboration with government, industry and community.
“Joe has been working on how to civilise traffic using methods that favour all users – not just cars – with a focus on how to make streets more pedestrian friendly,” Professor Newman said.
“Annie’s PhD examines urban design from a walkability perspective, looking at the impact prominent Danish urban designer, Jan Gehl, has had on making cities around the world more walkable, including here in Perth.
“Roman’s thesis has shown how important public transport is to the productivity of city centres.
“The data Roman has collected has recently been used to assess the infrastructure requirements of Australian cities by agencies such as Infrastructure Australia.”
Professor Newman said that all three students will continue to work in the field of sustainable planning following their graduations.
“Joe is now teaching at San Jose State University and Stanford University while Annie and Roman are now employed at CUSP, doing new research on the sustainability of cities.”
More information about these and other CUSP research projects is available online here
Note to editors:
About CUSP
The Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute was established in January 2008 and based in Fremantle. The idea of “sustainability” in a wide range of human endeavour is a relatively new concept, but is rapidly becoming a key issue in public policy theory and practice.
Sustainability Policy is also developing as a recognised profession and a multidisciplinary research field in its own right.
CUSP welcomes PhD and Masters by Research students, and is offering a coursework Masters in Sustainability.
Media Contact:
Gracie Daniel, Public Relations Consultant, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 3353, Email: gracie.daniel@curtin.edu.au
