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Precinct Retrofitting for Decarbonisation

The Precinct Retrofitting for Decarbonisation workshop, hosted at Curtin University and led by Professor Peng Wu and co-led by Dr Shengping Li, brought together leading experts from academia and industry to discuss cutting-edge solutions for net-zero precincts, decarbonising buildings, low-carbon modular integrated construction, and sustainable urban development. The organizing teams, partners, and sponsors of this event include Decarbonising the Building Industry (DBI), The Retrofit Lab, The University of Melbourne, Curtin University, Australian Institute of Project Management, Australia Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, Race for 2030 Pathways to Net Zero Precincts. With speakers from institutions such as the University of Melbourne, Curtin University, the University of Hong Kong, WSP, and Rowlinson Architects, the workshop highlighted the importance of collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches in driving precinct-scale sustainability. The interactive roundtable discussion fostered collaboration across industry and academia, aligning stakeholders with a shared commitment to sustainable, regenerative, and net-zero precinct development. 

Presentations

The Precinct Retrofitting for Decarbonisation workshop, hosted at Curtin University and led by Professor Peng Wu and co-led by Dr Shengping Li, brought together leading experts from academia and industry to discuss cutting-edge solutions for net-zero precincts, decarbonising buildings, low-carbon modular integrated construction, and sustainable urban development. The organizing teams, partners, and sponsors of this event include Decarbonising the Building Industry (DBI), The Retrofit Lab, The University of Melbourne, Curtin University, Australian Institute of Project Management, Australia Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, Race for 2030 Pathways to Net Zero Precincts. With speakers from institutions such as the University of Melbourne, Curtin University, the University of Hong Kong, WSP, and Rowlinson Architects, the workshop highlighted the importance of collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches in driving precinct-scale sustainability. The interactive roundtable discussion fostered collaboration across industry and academia, aligning stakeholders with a shared commitment to sustainable, regenerative, and net-zero precinct development. 
Advancing Net-Zero Precincts: Jayne Bryant’s Vision for Sustainable Urban Futures

Jayne Bryant, Associate Professor at Curtin University’s School of Design and Built Environment and Deputy Director of the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute (CUSP), welcomed attendees to a workshop on decarbonizing the built environment. A Perth native, her concern for Western Australia’s degraded landscapes drove her to study sustainability in Sweden and advocate for sustainable urban development. She acknowledged the Whadjuk people’s care for country and emphasized educating future leaders in architecture, urban planning, and climate action to meet net-zero goals. The workshop aimed to accelerate precinct-level decarbonization through innovative solutions like net-zero precincts and modular construction, aligning with Australia’s Paris Agreement targets. Bryant thanked organizers, sponsors, and partners, including the DBI Network and Australian Institute of Project Management, and introduced an agenda featuring leading researchers. She highlighted CUSP’s two-decade legacy in sustainability research and noted co-founder Peter Newman’s upcoming talk.

Building Connections for Decarbonization: Behzad Rismanchi on the DBI Network

Behzad Rismanchi, Deputy Director of the Decarbonizing the Built Industry (DBI) Network and a University of Melbourne representative, introduced the DBI’s mission at a Curtin University workshop. Launched in November 2023 as a government-funded initiative, the DBI fosters collaboration among industry, government, and academia to address sustainability challenges in the built environment. Rismanchi emphasized face-to-face engagement through monthly workshops, demonstration projects, and a roadmap for decarbonization. The network showcases innovative technologies, including timber industry projects and international collaborations, such as with Vietnam. DBI’s first conference in 2023 drew attendees from 21 countries, with the next planned for Brisbane in 2026. Membership is free, and new partners, including Curtin University, are welcomed. Rismanchi highlighted the DBI Visiting Fellow Scheme for global knowledge exchange and stressed creating ongoing connections to tackle decarbonization challenges effectively.

Retrofitting Precincts for Sustainable Cities: Sarah Bell’s Vision

Sarah Bell, Director of the Retrofit Lab at the University of Melbourne, spoke at a Curtin University workshop about precinct retrofitting. A Western Australian native with a PhD from Murdoch University, she emphasized retrofitting existing urban assets to meet decarbonization, biodiversity, and resource conservation goals. The Retrofit Lab, collaborating across disciplines and universities like RMIT and UTS, aims to make Australian cities healthy and resilient. Bell highlighted the challenge of retrofitting existing buildings, infrastructure, and landscapes to avoid demolishing embodied carbon in structures. Projects include decision-support tools for building lifecycles, public housing retrofits, and green infrastructure engagement. Precincts, varying from campuses to urban renewal zones, are ideal for integrating solutions, sharing resources, and aligning policies. Bell invited collaboration through the Lab’s monthly forums and urged exploring research gaps to assess precinct retrofitting’s viability for sustainable urban futures.

Net Zero Precincts: Peter Newman’s Call for Action
Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University, discussed the urgent need for net-zero precincts at a workshop. Highlighting global climate challenges, he noted the world surpassing the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target, exemplified by Los Angeles’ 2025 wildfires. Despite political resistance, such as Trump’s climate denial, Newman emphasized that 60% of the U.S. economy supports net-zero via initiatives like “We Are Still In.” He stressed the commercial viability of solar, wind, batteries, and electric vehicles, with $2 trillion invested globally in net-zero projects. Newman’s research focuses on retrofitting cities through precinct-scale solutions, integrating urban design, certification, grid integration, and governance. Projects like WGV and East Village in Perth demonstrate shared solar, batteries, and green infrastructure. His team’s open-source model, building on Peter Calthorpe’s Envision Tomorrow, shows net-zero precincts increase land value and support affordable housing, countering low-density sprawl myths. Newman urged practical action for a net-zero future.
Reimagining Precincts: Luke Rowlinson on Ethical and Regenerative Urban Design
Luke Rowlinson, Principal Architect at Rowlinson Architects, spoke at a Curtin University workshop, emphasizing precinct-scale design to address decarbonization and the “Tragedy of the Commons.” Acknowledging the Quandamooka people, he critiqued sustainability discussions for lacking ethical depth, advocating for ambitious, holistic approaches. Precincts, unlike individual buildings, enable shared resources, walkability, and regenerative practices like rewilding. He cited projects like Spicers Retreats, which used shared infrastructure for sustainability, and a Surat farm regenerated through natural systems farming. Rowlinson introduced “ethical carbon,” considering embodied labor and exploitation in supply chains, linking climate and social justice. He highlighted social impact, with projects fostering employment and education, and challenged Australia’s building code for neglecting passive design. Despite available net-zero technologies, inertia persists due to economic myths and sunk cost biases. Rowlinson urged precinct designs to reconnect communities with nature, fostering equitable, sustainable futures.
Low-Carbon Modular Construction: Wei Pan’s Insights on High-Rise Decarbonization
Prof. Wei Pan, from the University of Hong Kong’s Civil Engineering Department, presented virtually at a Curtin University workshop on low-carbon modular integrated construction (MIC) for high-rise buildings. He highlighted Hong Kong’s high-density context, akin to Sydney or Melbourne, and the challenge of decarbonizing its vast building stock. Pan introduced MIC, a prefabrication approach adopted in over 100 Hong Kong projects since 2017, emphasizing its carbon benefits. His research uses a Dialectical System Theory to enhance lifecycle carbon assessment (LCCA), identifying eight system boundaries for robust analysis. Results show structural materials like concrete and steel dominate embodied carbon, with MIC achieving up to 27% reduction through optimized module design, 17% via structural solutions, and 24% with low-carbon materials like lightweight concrete. Despite higher initial embodied carbon in steel MIC compared to conventional methods, Pan sees potential for improvement through recycled materials and passive design, urging further research to drive decarbonization in high-rise precincts.
Electrification and Decarbonization: Tatjana Hinson on Post-COVID Workspaces
Tatjana Hinson, Associate Director at WSP, spoke at a Curtin University workshop on evolving work styles and decarbonization in Australian office buildings post-COVID. Acknowledging the Whadjuk people, she noted varied office attendance: Perth at 93-96% on peak days, Sydney at 70%, and Melbourne at 50%. High vacancies, like Melbourne’s 18%, create a tenant’s market, pushing asset owners to upgrade buildings. Drivers include state net-zero targets, grid decarbonization, and tenant demands for comfort and sustainability. Hinson highlighted electrification strategies, noting challenges like timing to avoid short-term emission spikes or NABERS rating drops. WSP’s services include decarbonization roadmaps, electrification assessments, and certifications like NABERS and Green Star. Case studies, such as SA Waterhouse’s hybrid electrification and Lot 14’s all-electric precinct, showcase staged transitions. Monash University’s Menzies building retrofit aims for net-zero via electrification and envelope upgrades, balancing energy efficiency and comfort despite construction cost challenges.
Motivating Decarbonization: Peta Ashworth on Social Drivers for Precinct Retrofits
Peta Ashworth, Director of the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition, spoke at a Curtin University workshop, engaging the audience with Slido to explore motivations for decarbonizing precinct retrofits. Acknowledging the Whadjuk people, she emphasized the role of traditional owners in energy transitions. As a social scientist, Ashworth argued that motivations extend beyond cost and technology, shaped by context, ideology, and past experiences. She highlighted the importance of community consultation, clear language, and place-specific solutions in precinct retrofits, which involve shared infrastructure. Using Slido, she surveyed attendees on priorities as developers, tenants, or owners, revealing financial value, emissions reduction, and co-benefits like wellbeing as top drivers, though social and environmental values often outweigh purely financial ones. Referencing studies, she noted 79% of climate action benefits are social, urging better articulation of these to overcome market failures and drive equitable, community-focused decarbonization.

Motivating Decarbonization: Peta Ashworth on Social Drivers for Precinct Retrofits

The roundtable session brought together diverse stakeholders to examine critical challenges and opportunities in advancing net-zero urban precincts. Key themes included the importance of shared infrastructure—such as microgrids, shared thermal systems, and water reuse—and the need for robust governance models to support collaboration among multiple property owners. Participants stressed that technical solutions alone are insufficient; effective communication strategies and stakeholder engagement are vital to build trust and drive adoption. The discussion highlighted the importance of aligning economic, regulatory, and social dimensions, with greenwashing legislation, planning boundaries, and access to finance identified as ongoing barriers. Emphasis was placed on enabling demonstration projects and leveraging community-led initiatives to show tangible, cost-effective outcomes. The roundtable underscored the need for integrated governance, cross-sector collaboration, and adaptable policies to accelerate the transition toward resilient and regenerative precincts.

The roundtable session brought together diverse stakeholders to examine critical challenges and opportunities in advancing net-zero urban precincts. Key themes included the importance of shared infrastructure—such as microgrids, shared thermal systems, and water reuse—and the need for robust governance models to support collaboration among multiple property owners. Participants stressed that technical solutions alone are insufficient; effective communication strategies and stakeholder engagement are vital to build trust and drive adoption. The discussion highlighted the importance of aligning economic, regulatory, and social dimensions, with greenwashing legislation, planning boundaries, and access to finance identified as ongoing barriers. Emphasis was placed on enabling demonstration projects and leveraging community-led initiatives to show tangible, cost-effective outcomes. The roundtable underscored the need for integrated governance, cross-sector collaboration, and adaptable policies to accelerate the transition toward resilient and regenerative precincts.

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