The Next Decade of Discovery: Better Urban Futures, Now

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY RESEARCH WEEK 2024
The Next Decade of Discovery: Better Futures, Now
Urban Living Futures and Urban Transformations Research Centre present a day dedicated to the built 
environment; how we build into policy and into reality the cities of the future, delivering on resilience and livability in the face of a changing climate

Thursday 18th July 2024
Join for the full day or part of the day
MORNING Urban Living Futures presents: Building Resilient Futures: Addressing Climate Change Through Infrastructure Innovation
AFTERNOON Urban Transformations Research Centre presents: The renewable electricity transition in our cities
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10am to 12pm Urban Living Futures presents
Building Resilient Futures: Addressing Climate Change Through Infrastructure Innovation
This groundbreaking event aims to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change.
This panel of discussion event serves as a platform for sharing cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and forward-thinking policies and infrastructure delivery approaches that can enhance the resilience of infrastructure systems in the face of climate-related threats.
We have brought experts from diverse backgrounds and sectors, including engineering, environmental science, economics, and public policy, to have an exciting interdisciplinary dialogue on actionable solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.

The event will answer the following questions:
* Extension of the use of BIM in infrastructure delivery with better consistency;
* Consistent Carbon footprint accounting benchmark (across the nation with international alignment);
* How we deal with aging assets (not just the carbon footprint to build new, but also to demolish/ upgrade the old).

Speakers and Panel Members
Ms. Jessica Qiu – WSP – Expert in Infrastructure Contracts and Delivery
Mr. Jonas Li – Pitt & Sherry – Expert in energy and sustainability
Mrs. Julie Mikhail – Engineering Business – Expert in government tendering and fundings
Associate Professor Maria Estela Varua – School of Business, WSU – Expert in carbon accounting
Professor Greg Morrison – Urban Transformation Research Centre, WSU – Expert in Zero Carbon infrastructures
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1pm to 3pm Urban Transformations Research Centre presents
The renewable electricity transition in our cities
The Australian Government's commitment to Net Zero by 2050 and an 82% renewable electricity target by 2030 reflects a global shift driven by abundant solar and wind power. This rapid transition raises important questions for industry, society, and researchers regarding the decarbonization of our cities
Introduction - The renewable energy transition in our cities and the Western Sydney University approach
Dr Maria Rashidi, Urban Transformations Research centre, WSU
Keynote Address - Energy Transition Challenges - Cities as Systems
Professor David Hill, Monash University

Followed by a panel discussion on these questions and more, with ample time for audience participation.
* How can we integrate renewable energy into our cities effectively?
* What opportunities does the prosumer trend offer for empowerment and affordability in energy?
* What investments are needed for the energy transition in our city environments?
* How can policy and governance frameworks facilitate the transition to renewable energy in urban areas?
* How can Western Sydney University assist in preparing the workforce for these changes?

Panel Members
Professor Greg Morrison, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Director (Moderator)
Dr James Hazelton, Endeavour Energy, Future Grid Strategy Manager 
Dr Hema Wadhwa, Worley, Digital Enablement Leader – Renewables Remote Operations
Christine McNamara, Sales Director for AVEVA Software for the Pacific
Dr Thomas Longden, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Senior Research Fellow
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REGISTRATION Essential, numbers are limited 
Choose your tickets
1. Package Full Day (includes Lunch) [10am - 3pm]
2. Morning Session (10am - 12pm)
3. Afternoon Session (1pm - 3pm)