89152 Design for Change: Reinvigorating Retail Precincts

Description

In this studio students are required to apply various methods of problem exploration and design research to develop solutions to a current crime problem for real retail business clients. Students work on real projects, often in teams and always supported by experts in the fields of socially responsive design, environment design, crime prevention, and retail planning.

The process requires students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the range of commercial, organisational and community drivers in the retail context including loss prevention. The challenge is to develop a design approach that addresses the various drivers, while also providing an environment less prone to crime. Working with real clients in a commercial setting requires students to develop their team and project management skills in a situation dependent on the professional delivery of design outcomes.

In this subject students undertake an applied project with a local shopping area authority (council, shopping centre) in which they draw on their design research and problem exploration skills to develop a frame and design concepts that address a crime problem and re-invigorate the precinct. Students work with a broader stakeholder group in this project that includes diverse community groups, council, police, community workers, retailers and licensees among others. It requires students to develop their skills in engaging clients and stakeholders to think about crime problems and the possibilities for declining retail precincts.