CfP: RMIT Design Archives Journal Vol. 16, No. 1, 2026 | Housing and Community Need
The Victorian Government’s 2023 decision to demolish 44 high-rise public housing buildings in Melbourne and redevelop with mixed-tenure developments will be Australia’s largest urban renewal project when it is scheduled to be completed in 2051. Debates over refurbishment/adaptive re-use or demolition were informed by environmental concerns, as well as community concerns about the disruption such a large-scale project would have on current residents. 2026 is an opportune time to reflect and reconsider the design of housing in Australia and the role of community and transitional design in ensuring sustainable and liveable homes and an inclusive, participatory approach to communities.We invite you to contribute to this special issue of the RMIT Design Archives Journal that will examine housing and community design in Australia.
Themes may include:
- Adaptive reuse
- Affordable housing
- Community design
- Community housing
- Inclusive Indigenous community housing
- Service design
- Social housing
- Urban design
Abstract due by 17 November. For more information see here.