Flux Cities: Ontological Design for a Regenerative World
Summary
book
Gregor H. Mews
About
Dr Gregor H. Mews MURP (TU-Berlin), PhD EnvirDes (University of Canberra), MPIA, ISOCARP, is currently an academic at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) and senior leadership figure in the international NGO space. His multidisciplinary research focuses on urban healthy, regenerative design, emphasising the convergence of public health, public space, ontological design theory, spatial justice, and more-than-human urbanism. Research Interests & Themes Public Health & Urbanity: Integrating health and well-being into public open space and urban design frameworks, particularly in response to COVID-19's spatial implications for children and community life. Culture and identity: Advancing design in pursuit of (re) humanising the urban within a more-than-human world. Situated awareness of urban ecologies and place stewardship nested in culture and identity. Play & Participatory Urbanism: Exploring the role of play and youth co-design as catalysts for transformative and transgressive urban experiences—with a global perspective on localised practices. Flux Cities & Ontological Design: Investigating the emergent urban condition through conceptual frames like Flux Cities, focusing on non-linear, regenerative urban processes. Previously, he was the Executive Director of Urban Synergies Group, a Co-Founder and Director of the Australian Institute of Play, a Steering Committee Member of UN-Habitat’s World Urban Campaign, a Council Board Member of City Space Architecture and a Strategic Advisory Board Member of the Journal of Public Space. Currently, Greg is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Association and a full member of the International Federation of National Teaching Fellows. As for his practice contributions, Greg has led local, national and international projects in the nexus of urban design and health, been an Urban Thinker voice for UN-Habitat and strategically to advocate for vulnerable population groups with impact transcending boundaries across the Global North and South and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. Under the conceptual approach of "Right to the City", he advocated for better health and well-being outcomes at the United Nations Habitat III conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development held in Quito (Ecuador) in 2016. Over the course of two decades, he has been teaching, researching at universities in Europe (University of Kassel, Technical University of Berlin), North America (Yale University), Africa (University of Makeni), and Australia (QUT, University of Canberra, UNSW Canberra). Previously, he served as the Study Area Coordinator for the Landscape Architecture Program at QUT and co-led the transdisciplinary Impact Labs framed around Planet as part of the new Bachelor of Design. Greg received multiple work-related awards including the prestigious ‘Oscars of Education” QS Wharton Reimagine Education Award in the category Presence Learning & Teaching as well as the 2021 overall Education Award, the 2022 national AAUT Citation Award in the category Advanced learning on curriculum transformation and innovative and pedagogy practice, ISOCARP's Gerd Albers Award for best book in planning 2022 as well as the best research project award 2022 from the Planning Institute of Australia QLD. His latest research projects include an MRFF-PPHR Initiative grant in Australia and a Civil Society in Development grant in Sierra Leone. Greg has published four books and 64 other publications internationally, including “Perspectives of sustainable urban development for cities in Central Asia”, the recent “The future of Asian and Pacific Cities: Transformative pathways towards sustainable urban development in the post covid-19 era” for UN-ESCAP, and the multiple award winning book “Transforming Public Space through Play”, guest editor of “Special issues Journal - Public health and wellbeing in public open spaces through climate responsive urban planning and design” in the Journal of Public Space. Between 2008 and 2013, he was the Vice-President and advocacy coordinator of the Planning Institute of Australia (ACT Division), held an Adjunct Prof. Associate position at the Health Research Institute at the University of Canberra, and is an active member of ISOCARP (International Society of Urban and Regional Planners) Community of Practice Urban Health. In his pursuit of adding quality to urban environments, he served on juries and boards in Denmark, Germany, Sierra Leone and Australia, including the ACT Government, National Capital Authority, Logan Together, Dreamtown, Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk, advising government, non-government and industry on urban design and public space projects.
Work
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
|Lecturer
Australia
→
Queensland University of Technology
Australia
University of Canberra
|Adjunct Professional Associate
Australia
→
Urban Synergies Group
|Founder
Australia
→
University of Canberra Faculty of Health
|Seasonal lecturer
Australia
→
University of Canberra Faculty of Arts and Design
|Seasonal lecturer
Australia
→
Universität Kassel
|Seasonal lecturer
Germany
→
Education
University of Canberra
Australia
→
PhD Environmental Design
University of Canberra Faculty of Arts and Design
Australia
→
Graduate Certificate in Research Methods and Design
Technische Universität Berlin
Germany
→
Dipl.- Ing. für Stadt- und Regionalplanung
Publications
On Designing Exteriority from within Through Flux Cities in Public Space
Published by
The Dusk of Design: Exploring Multidisciplinary Approaches and Evolutionary Biology in Architecture
Summary
book-chapter
Beyond playgrounds: how less structured city spaces can nurture children’s creativity
Published by
The Conversation
Summary
magazine-article
Implementation of the New Urban Agenda on a local level: an effective community engagement methodology for human-centred urban design
Published by
Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability
Summary
journal-article
Implementation of the New Urban Agenda on a local level: An effective methodology for human-centred urban design
Published by
Journal of Urbanism
Summary
journal-article
Introduction to Public Space. Analysing Complexity.
Summary
other
From wealthy to healthy cities: well-being for all starts at the neighbourhood level
Published by
Cities & Health
Summary
other
Advancing Cities: Bioclimatic and Sociotechnical Understanding for Healthy Places
Published by
ISOCARP Review 19: Towards Holistic Climate-Responsive Planning for Equitable Places and Communities
Summary
book-chapter
Greg Mews: Play and Public Art
Published by
w/k – Zwischen Wissenschaft & Kunst
Summary
journal-article
Radical imaginaries and new places for children in cities
Published by
60th ISOCARP World Planning Congress Diamond Anniversary / 1st International Conference for New Cities
Summary
conference-paper
2030 – a playful prediction
Published by
Priorities for Play: Towards 2030 and Beyond
Summary
book-chapter
Play: Seeing and becoming different through the looking glass
Published by
Inspirationally Playful: People, Papers and Practices that have Inspired Practitioners and Researchers
Summary
book-chapter
Living in a bubble? (Then it is probably NOT a biosphere)
Published by
UniSC News
Summary
online-resource
Special Section on Health, Urban Climate and Complexity in Urban Design and Planning
Published by
The Journal of Public Space
Summary
journal-article
Special Section on Health, Urban Climate and Complexity in Urban Design and Planning
Published by
The Journal of Public Space
Summary
journal-article
Celebrating Public Space: Learnings from Sierra Leone
Summary
other
Transforming Life for Young People through Public Space Action in Informal Settlements in Sierra Leone
Published by
Journal of Public Space
Summary
journal-article
Design for Impact: A model for embedding education for sustainability across an undergraduate design program
Published by
International Conference on Sustainable Development
Summary
conference-paper
Intelligent Communities—Towards a New Ontology of Practice
Published by
Smart Cities for Sustainable Development
Summary
book-chapter
Local Play, Every Day!
Summary
other
Transforming Public Space through Play
Summary
book
Implementation of the New Urban Agenda on a local level: an effective community engagement methodology for human-centred urban design
Published by
Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability
Summary
journal-article
Physical distancing, children and urban health: The COVID-19 crisis' impact on children and how this could affect future urban planning and design policies
Published by
Cities & Health
Summary
journal-article
Physical distancing, children and urban health
Published by
Cities & Health
Summary
journal-article
Observations on Death and Life of Public Space in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published by
The Journal of Public Space
Summary
journal-article
Pop-up Play City - the Capital of the children
Published by
Play Blog
Summary
online-resource
Designed by kids for kids: Design strategies for improved outcomes for children's health and wellbeing in suburban environments
Published by
International Symposium on Sustainable and Clean Energy (ISSCE): Quality in Research
Summary
conference-paper
Translating urban loveability into action in a post-COVID-19 world
Published by
World Urban Campaign
Summary
newsletter-article
2020: A Year without Public Space under the COVID-19 Pandemic
Summary
other
The future of Asian and Pacific Cities
Summary
report
Observations on Death and Life of Public Space in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published by
The Journal of Public Space
Summary
journal-article
Physical distancing, children and urban health
Published by
Cities & Health
Summary
journal-article
Public health and well-being in public open spaces through climate responsive urban planning and design
Published by
The Journal of Public Space
Summary
journal-article
Creating space for young people in urban slums of Sierra Leone
Published by
Dreamtown/ Urban Synergies Group/ University of Canberra/ Queensland University of Technology
Summary
report
Survey Baseline Report: Creating space for young people in urban slums of Sierra Leone
Summary
report
Creating space for young people in urban slums of Sierra Leone
Summary
report
Urban loveability in a post-COVID-19 world
Published by
World Urban Campaign
Summary
newsletter-article
Designed by kids for kids: Design strategies for improved outcomes for children’s health and wellbeing in suburban environments
Published by
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EMERGING APPLICATIONS IN MATERIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: ICEAMST 2020
Summary
conference-paper
Designed by kids for kids
Published by
Recent Progress on
Summary
conference-paper
The Future of Asian and Pacific Cities: Transformative pathways towards sustainable urban development in the post COVID-19 era [Discussion Paper]
Summary
report
RAPID REVIEW OF EVIDENCE: POLICY AND PROVISION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL CHILDREN, WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OF SAFE ACTIVE TRAVEL TO SCHOOL
Published by
University of Canberra & Urban Synergies Group
Summary
report
Producing spaces, changing places - the role of play
Summary
dissertation-thesis
Playing in the Streets: How Re-engaging Children with the Suburban Street-Scape Can Effect Change in Overweight and Obesity Patterns in Australia
Published by
Spaces and Flows: An International Journal of Urban and ExtraUrban Studies
Summary
journal-article
Playing in the streets: How re-engaging children with the suburban street-scape can effect change in overweight and obesity patterns in Australia
Published by
Spaces and Flows: an international journal of urban and extraurban studies
Summary
journal-article
Playing in the Streets: How Re-engaging Children with the Suburban Street-Scape Can Effect Change in Overweight and Obesity Patterns in Australia
Published by
Spaces & Flows
Summary
journal-article
Urban Synergies Group: Creating space for young people in urban informal settlements in Sierra Leone: Empowering youth through public space dreams and actions
Published by
World Urban Campaign- UN Habitat
Summary
newsletter-article
Exploring new horizons for youth wellbeing and Public Space in Sierra Leone
Published by
ISOCARP Review 15: Planning for Metropolitan Area
Summary
book-chapter
Rapid review of evidence: Policy and provision of physical activity for Australian school children, with special consideration of safe active travel to school.
Summary
report
Special issues Journal - Public health and wellbeing in public open spaces through climate responsive urban planning and design
Published by
The Journal of Public Space
Summary
online-resource
Designing healthy futures: involving primary school children in the co-design of a health report card
Published by
International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation
Summary
journal-article
Designing healthy futures: involving primary school children in the co-design of a health report card
Published by
International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation
Summary
journal-article
Designing healthy futures: involving primary school children in the co-design of a health report card
Published by
International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation
Summary
journal-article
Shaping Healthy Cities for and with Children: 9th World Urban Forum Side Networking Event Report
Summary
report
Urban Synergies Group: Planning by and for the people- Global and local experts work together with community to “Make Canberra a Human-centred City”
Published by
World Urban Campaign
Summary
online-resource
The play value of selected play-spaces in Canberra
Published by
Urban Synergies Group for ACT Government
Summary
report
Time for action. Implementing the New Urban Agenda in public spaces for health and wellbeing
Published by
The Journal of Public Space
Summary
journal-article
Time for action. Implementing the New Urban Agenda in public spaces for health and wellbeing
Published by
The Journal of Public Space
Summary
journal-article
Designing Healthy Futures: involving primary school children in the co-design of a health report card
Published by
International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation (TDCI)
Summary
journal-article
Making Canberra A Human-Centred City Charter
Published by
SEE-Change, The Green Institute and Urban Synergies Group
Summary
online-resource
WUF9 Side Event: Urban Synergies - Call for action: A paradigm shift and new alliances for children health & well-being in cities
Published by
World Urban Campaign
Summary
newsletter-article
Shaping Spaces for Generation Z
Published by
The City at Eye Level for Kids
Summary
book-chapter
Shaping Healthy Cities for and with Children: Side Networking Event Report.
Published by
Urban Synergies Group
Summary
report
WUF9 Side Event: Urban Synergies - Call for action: A paradigm shift and new alliances for children health & well-being in cities
Published by
World Urban Campaign, UN-Habitat
Summary
online-resource
Making Canberra A Human-Centred City - Charter
Summary
report
Shaping spaces for Gen Z – International Forum Report
Summary
report
Our common urban future – possibilities and actions with and for children and young people!
Published by
World Urban Campaign, UN-Habitat
Summary
online-resource
Time for a Paradigm Shift Towards Health and Well-being
Published by
ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability, EcoMobility Alliance
Summary
online-resource
Urban Thinkers Campus - Shaping Spaces for Gen Z
Published by
Urban Synergies Group & University of Canberra, Health Research Institute
Summary
report
A Perspective on healthy intelligent communities
Summary
report
Our common urban future – possibilities and actions with and for children and young people!
Published by
World Urban Campaign
Summary
newsletter-article
Time for a paradigm shift towards health and well-being
Published by
EcoMobility World Festival 2017: Festival Stories
Summary
online-resource
Right to the City
Summary
book
Right to the City: An exploration in pictures
Summary
other
city play research
Published by
blog
Summary
website
Spielraeume zurueck erobern
Summary
manual
Spielraum Manifest
Summary
book
Diese Welt ist zum Spielen da! [Play is what our world is for!]
Published by
Playground+Landscape
Summary
magazine-article
Urban Synergies Group
Summary
website
Making cities fit for life - key urban design features for a healthy living environment
Published by
State of Australian cities conference proceedings
Summary
conference-paper
Active Living Impact Checklist
Summary
manual
Making cities fit for life - key urban design features for a healthy living environment
Published by
State of Australian Cities National Conference
Summary
conference-paper
Active living impact checklist: A tool for developments in the Australian Capital Territory
Summary
report
Active Living in the school. Lanyon High workshop outcome
Summary
report
Urban sprawl + politics + cars = Canberra vs. Compa ct city + innovative politics + active forms of transport = healthy Canberra
Published by
REALCORP 2010
Summary
conference-paper
ACT Active Living Project. Scoping Study – Key Findings
Summary
report
ACT Active Living Forum – Our Health, Our City
Summary
report
Planning with less: “Peak Oil – forgotten challenge for Regional NSW
Published by
New Planner
Summary
magazine-article
“Establishing a ‘working relationship’ between practitioners and academics
Summary
conference-paper
Perspektiven für eine nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung in Zentralasien
Summary
book