EcoCity theory recognises that cities are increasingly at the heart of the world's environmental problems, and therefore they must also be part of the solution. Cities are currently a huge drain on the world's finite resources, but this need not be the case: we can change our cities so that they are not only healthier and friendlier places to live, but much more self-sufficient too.
Urban Ecology Australia is currently taking donations into its EcoCity Foundation Fund with a major goal of establishing the International Centre for Urban Ecology (iCUE).
International Centre for Urban Ecology (iCUE)
iCUE will provide a unique opportunity for in-situ learning about how communities can take control of their own futures to shape the world they want to live in. Research and education will focus on developing theoretical frameworks that are informed by practical experience, which of course leads to how theory can be turned into practice. As cities become increasingly dominant around the world, the environmental impacts associated with them are increasingly in need of attention, and we all need to think collectively about how we can transform them into thriving, ecologically-viable communities.
Key Areas of Expenditure
To purchase the land and fund the construction of the International Centre for Urban Ecology (iCUE). iCUE will be housed in a landmark ecological building at the front of Australia's first piece of EcoCity, Christie Walk, so that the very fabric of the learning environment will be educational. A fully equipped interpretive centre (including a library for literature on urban sustainability issues, multimedia facilities and a space for interactive community learning) will allow us to broaden the scope of our programmes in every sense: a greater number of interns each year, from a greater number and diversity of countries (with a particular focus on developing countries within our sphere of influence in the Southern Hemisphere e.g. East Timor). It will also allow us to branch into new areas of community education; eg. school groups and other sectors of our local community.
Money raised will also assist the administration and running of iCUE and will help to ensure that the themes, content and learning approach of our educational programmes maintain a place at the forefront of international EcoCity research.
