Bond University together with leading Australian property group, Mirvac, today launched the ‘Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development’, Australia’s first tertiary program formally recognising long-term sustainability as integral in urban planning, design, development and strategic asset management.
The private, not-for-profit Bond University has partnered with Mirvac, a company noted for its corporate social responsibility initiatives, to establish the innovative School which fully integrates environmental, urban planning and architectural disciplines with the practical issues of technology, financial viability and societal expectations.
Head of School Professor George Earl said that as there is a societal shift towards living in large urbanised communities, planning and design practices must also adapt to recognise the social issues associated with community living.
“There has been a lot of industry focus on environmental sustainability, however social and economic sustainability are also critical in planning for the cities of tomorrow.
“We recognised the need to integrate the concept of sustainability into planning and design at the educational stage, rather than relying on it being a consideration in practice,” Professor Earl said.
Mirvac’s Managing Director Mr Greg Paramor said that Mirvac is fully committed to the concept of sustainability, having already been officially recognised for setting new industry standards for reduction in greenhouse emissions and the promotion of energy saving best practice.
“It makes business and social sense to create liveable communities that meet the long-term needs of a changing society by taking into consideration issues such as the ageing population.
“Our partnership with Bond University represents an investment in not only the next generation of students, but also future business and industry in Australia,” Mr Paramor said.
Positioned within Bond’s highly respected Business, Technology and Sustainable Development Faculty, and drawing on cross-faculty expertise, the Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs from January 2007.
The curriculum has been designed in partnership with industry professionals to ensure work-place ready graduates who are skilled in the creation of liveable communities.
It is anticipated that by the end of 2006 all programs will be accredited or endorsed by 17 Australian and international professional institutions in the area of urban planning, property development and valuation, project management, construction management, facility management and quantity surveying.
Located on the Gold Coast, in the living laboratory of Australia’s fastest growing area – South East Queensland – the School will also incorporate the Australian Research Centre for Sustainable Property, Planning and Infrastructure.