Urban Living Labs

How could Sydney Science Park maximise the potential for renewable energy generation? Examine the potential to utilise waste for energy purposes. Encourage residents to utilise innovative energy-saving devices to reduce energy load? Develop ways for all energy producers and users (i.e. home owners and businesses) to share energy to reduce the overall cost of electricity?

How could Sydney Science Park provide a reliable and safe water supply to residents? Utilise water in innovative ways to meet the variety of needs for different stakeholders? Decrease the amount of stormwater leaving Sydney Science Park, while increasing resilience against floods, droughts and heatwaves?

How could Sydney Science Park cater for alternative transport options that meet futuristic needs? Provide transport options that have minimal impact on the environment? Encourage active modes within SSP all year round?

How can Sydney Science Park ensure its residents can live healthy lives (physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.)? Reduce the burden on the healthcare system by creating a culture of integrated technologies? Improve day to day living while also preparing for extreme events that cause health risks, such as pandemics, poor air quality and heat waves?

Urban heat islands caused by increased heat (stored in built infrastructure) can exacerbate the risk of heat-related complications in our cities and suburbs. How do we overcome heat island effects in urban settings? How can we sustainably use water to reduce heat? How should we use urban greening to reduce heat in our cities? What materials should we use to reflect heat from the roads and buildings we develop? How can we use tree canopies to create heat and weather refuges?

While occupying a small percentage of the earth’s area, cities are responsible for consuming most of the earth’s resources. How do we transition from a single-use society to a more circular use of materials? Read More

How can Sydney Science Park create novel spaces that can support urban agriculture and the production of local food? Develop mechanisms and appropriate maintenance that allow public spaces to be used for growing fruits, vegetables and herbs? 
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