STREAT and Victoria University create a Regenerative City Living Lab

Victoria University (VU) and STREAT have partnered in a project to create a circular, regenerative precinct starting with the VU Footscray Park campus. Last year, VU placement students, supported by STREAT's horticulture team, dreamed up concept designs for what the garden might look like. This included students investigating VU community member needs and wants, incorporating results from a survey of more than 200 people on what they might like to see in an urban garden.

Now that we're out of lockdown our first task has been to translate these concepts into a mocked-up prototype so that students could step into their designs, and role play as different people who might use the space including students, staff and visitors. Did you know one of the best ways to design right is to prototype with cardboard boxes and simple props before committing to more permanent things?

The students were then able to add ideas of minor details (delight points) to the designs before any heavy lifting or permanent elements had been put in place.

Next, the VU students worked with STREAT's horticulture team to install a range of modular wicking beds and planted stage one of the garden. This included native plants, vegetables and edible flowers. The next steps will be to add some plants and outdoor furniture along with cladding the modular wicking beds.

The garden is designed to create a welcoming space for Victoria University community members to study, relax, enjoy nature, use the produce and learn how to grow themselves with a seed library coming soon.