Design with nature : a proposed model for coastal settlements in Australia adapting to climate change and extreme weather events

The Australian coast is rich in history and is scattered with coastal settlements amongst a contrasting landscape with infinite visual and ecological diversity. These attributes provide the opportunity to create sustainable and resilient settlements, linking the wholeness of a place to the foundation of living in harmony with nature. On the contrary the coastal regions of Australia are facing dynamic changes of population growth including the looming impact of a changing climate. Acknowledging these challenges, the Australian Government highlighted that one of the key requirements for a sustainable future is to establish sustainable settlements that are resilient against the impacts of climate change. Recent government studies and reports highlighted various possible impacts to the Australian coast and regional settlements due to sea level rise with associated coastal recession, extreme weather events, flooding, and prolonged heat waves. Various adaptation frameworks are proposed to deal with this issue, but very few consider the relationship between ecological systems and human built environments. The resilience planning of settlements must consider the co-evolution of human and nature under future climate effects. This paper is thus seeking answers to the question: How can the theoretical principles of Design with Nature (McHarg, 1967) and The Nature of Order (Alexander, 1980) provide for input to a adaptation model for settlements along the coast? Reflecting on a literature review of these two well established theories, the author select key principles from both as input to a ecological design based adaptation model for coastal settlements, which establishes a system of unfolding steps to create sustainable communities that connect with the landscape, and are resilient against future impacts of change.

Gendered experiences of industry change and the effects of neoliberalism

In a time of dramatic and rapid change in the global media industry and when technological advances and media concentration are shaping the way news is produced and consumed, little research has focused on how the producers of news are affected by such change. This paper explores narratives of confidence and cynicism as told to me by Australian print news media journalists. I am interested in journalists’ memories and experiences of personal change that arise from an intensified workplace and how neoliberal discourses affect newsroom culture. How do the journalists I interview experience and speak of changes in the newsroom? In what ways is being a journalist different now to when they entered the industry? In effect, how have journalists changed as a result of journalism's changes? The interviews with 17 print media journalists contain rich narratives with which to explore how participants remember and make sense of industry changes. This paper finds that the intensification of work practices, ethical constraints and gender bias, underpinned by neoliberalism, have aided in creating a cynicism among many of the journalists interviewed. Nevertheless, the majority of interviewees suggest that a career in journalism has increased their personal and/or professional confidence. There are, however, gendered differences in this experience.

Does privatisation drive innovation? Business model innovation through stakeholder viewpoints: the case of Sydney Airport 10 years post-privatisation

Broad economic and social reform, rapid technological change and increasing global competition have meant that organisations must consider all aspects of their business model in order to successfully create and capture ongoing customer value. In this study it is proposed that business model innovation must always consider and incorporate the symbiotic and interdependent relationship that stakeholders have with an organisation. One particular aspect of economic reform, privatisation, has become an important driver of economic growth in many economies, particularly when linked with the rapid growth of air travel. Privatisation of an airport can generate a radical change in the overall business model for the airport owner and the various stakeholders involved in the operation of the airport. Sydney Airport has restructured its overarching business model to meet the demands of stakeholders. Using feedback from key stakeholders, this research examines the generally accepted view that airport privatisation leads to an improvement in airport performance. Chesbrough's Business Model Framework provides a lens to assist the analysis of Sydney Airport operations before and after privatisation, and provides valuable insights into the impact of privatisation on business model innovation. © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2014.

Organizational climate change and its influence on employee engagement

 This study provides insight into how organizational climate can change and influence employee engagement using a structural, longitudinal, case study design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected in two companies in the Philippines undergoing substantial change. An existing validated model of work practices and outcomes was used as a framework in collecting and analyzing the data. Results showed that both companies significantly changed aspects of their organizations associated with the quality of technology and facilities. However, only Company B showed significant changes in aspects associated with the involvement, development, and recognition of staff. With regard to the outcome of employee engagement, results showed that Company A did not report a significant change in employee engagement while Company B did report a significant change. Coding of qualitative comments supported the quantitative results. The findings support the argument that if organizations wish to improve employee engagement, a core requirement for organizational development is to improve the extent to which employees are involved, developed, and recognized within their organization.

Quantitation of ascorbic acid in Arabidopsis thaliana reveals distinct differences between organs and growth phases

Optimal plant growth is the result of the interaction of a complex network of plant hormones and environmental signals. Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a crucial antioxidant in plants and is involved in the regulation of cell division, cell expansion, photosynthesis and hormone biosynthesis. Quantitative analysis of AsA in Arabidopsis thaliana organs was conducted using HPLC with d -isoascorbic acid (Iso-AsA) as an internal standard. Analysis revealed Àuctuations in the levels of AsA in different organs and growth phases when plants were grown under standard conditions. AsA concentrations increased in leaves in direct proportion to leaf size and age. Young siliques (seed set stage) and Àowering buds (open and unopened) showed the highest levels of AsA. A relationship was found between the level of AsA and indole acetic acid (IAA) in leaves, stems, Àowers, and siliques and the highest level of IAA and AsAwere found in the Àowers. In contrast, the lowest level of the plant hormone, salicylic acid, was found in the Àowers and the highest quantity measured in the leaves. Consequently, AsA has been found to be a multifunctional molecule that is involved as a key regulator of plant growth and development.

Climate change and our heritage of low carbon comfort

This paper examines the viability of maintaining a heritage of low carbon comfort as an alternative to the energy intensive comfort regime of mechanical air conditioning. In many parts of the world, the carbon footprint of buildings is increasing significantly due to the widespread adoption of air conditioning. Current trends around indoor comfort are unsustainable, and alternative, less energy intensive comfort regimes need to be maintained or cultivated. To date, studies on this topic in heritage and preservation studies have focused on the architectural designs of 'passive cooling'. This paper seeks to expand this conceptualisation of 'cool living heritage' to incorporate other forms of material culture and comfort practice.