Abstract
[Extract] At the expense of sounding clichéd, the tropics are 'different' to other places. Whether it is because of the heat, torrential rain or even cyclones, the tropical world presents a challenge and opportunity for urban designers. Many envy the 'tropical lifestyle' and seek to experience this through travel or migration, or even emulate it in their temperate home. But the tropics are more than just a palm-fringed oasis. The region is growing in terms of economy, expertise and population, and Tropical Australia is developing as a hotspot of exportable knowledge on tropical issues. One area of importance and, therefore gaining momentum, is tropical urban design. Using Cairns in Far North Queensland as an example, what is the possibility of developing a tropical urban design body of knowledge and practice? The tropical world is a region which, although climatically defined, is also culturally, historically and naturally distinctive. Australia's tropics extend from the equator south to the tropic of Capricorn, near Rockhampton in the East, and just south of Coral Bay in the West. This part of Australia is home to mining, tourist, logging and defence towns, as well as administrative and agricultural centres. The climatic conditions range from dry-hot to wet-hot, most with seasonal rains. The majority of these places are not represented in the traditional image of the tropics as paradisiacal beaches, vegetation and weather. This diversity of Australian tropical places is crucial to bear in mind when considering tropical urban design.
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Publication Name
Urban Voices: celebrating urban design in Australia
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ISBN/ISSN
978-0-646-90406-1
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Pages Count
4
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Publisher
Urban Design Forum Incorporated
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Publisher Location
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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