Sydney-based architect David Holm has been awarded a 2011 Churchill Fellowship to study the design of public places in the increasing urban density of Australia's growing cities.
Holm is a director at Cox Richardson and an established author with two books: "Drawing Italy" and "Drawing Paris". He was recently profiled in Architecture & Design.
Holm will study public and private open space models in four of the largest and densest cities of the world, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai and London to observe and record strategies to apply to the design of the cities of Australia as they grow towards 2050.
Australia has one of the highest rates of urban living in the world, which is tipped to increase as our population grows to 50 million people in 2050.
Central to the success of urban living is the provision of good quality public space, as cities and infrastructure cannot sustain continued urban sprawl.
Holm explains that Australia's urban development since European settlement has seen us embrace values of European place making blended, not always successfully in the latter part of the 20th century with an obsession with the motor vehicle.
It is the premise of Holm's thinking "that Australian cities are at a nexus of resolving increasing urban densities by holding durable community public place making at their core".
Churchill Fellowships are awarded by the Winston Churchill Trust, an organisation established in honour of its namesake after his death in 1955. The trust provides Australians with an opportunity to travel overseas to conduct research in their chosen fields using sources not readily available in Australia. Recipients and projects are selected for their commitment to make a tangible difference to the community.
“This year's Churchill Fellows are dedicated, inspiring Australians who will make a difference to our country over the coming decades,” Chief Executive Officer of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Paul Tys said.
