Developed in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo and CityStudio Vancouver – an immersive learning and innovation hub based in Canada – the project was officially launched Tuesday, at Rosalind Park, Bendigo.
CityStudio and Environmental Dialogue will run for five intensive weeks starting on 25 June, involving students across a range of disciplines working to solve a problem for Bendigo.
Mr Duane Elverum, Executive Director and Co-Founder of CityStudio Vancouver, is in Bendigo to present the CityStudio model, and share his insights into how it can work in Bendigo.
The CityStudio model has engaged with over 4,500 students and launched over 418 real-world enterprise projects in six city hubs across Canada. La Trobe University will be CityStudio’s first international partner.
Mr Elverum said, like Vancouver, Bendigo is well placed to adapt this model to solve its own unique problems.
“Through our model, city staff, students, faculty and community work together to design experimental projects that make Vancouver more sustainable, liveable and joyful.
“We are delighted to form this new international partnership in Bendigo, and look forward to seeing the CityStudio model applied in an entirely new setting and context,” Mr Elverum said.
La Trobe Senior lecturer in Outdoor Environmental Education, Mr Marcus Morse, said the CityStudio subject has attracted students from a wide range of disciplines.
“Students from urban planning, outdoor education, public health, archaeology, science, psychology and history will all be involved – which will be vital in ensuring we find an entirely innovative solution to present to the community.
“This is a unique opportunity for students to be part of a global network, while working on a project of great local significance,” Mr Morse said.
City of Greater Bendigo Regional Sustainable Development Manager Trevor Budge said the Bendigo Creek was chosen as the project because it was one of the City’s largest and most important public assets.
“This project is great for students because it gives them an opportunity to apply their skills in a real life situation, not just in the classroom,” Mr Budge said.
“It’s also good for the City because we get to tap into a range of skills and ideas we may not otherwise have, as well as create pathways for young people who may seek a career in Local Government.”
The focus of the five week intensive subject will be to provide ideas as to how the City should engage with the community to reimagine the Bendigo Creek as “a world class, green, public space spine, which is widely used and highly valued by the community.” At the end of the subject, students will present their ideas to the Mayor, Councillors and members of the community.
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