Peak Oil and Architecture

Liz

I want to write a thesis on "Peak Oil & Architecture"
Any ideas how to focus it, or a question to answer would be greatly appreciated.
I'm interested in sustainable city design and master planning on a large scale
The suburban sprawl that resulted from cheap oil in the 70's is no longer sustainable, especially with travel costs to a city centre.
Are there any programs/ govt initiatives iin Australia at the moment?
I know research has been done for each city mapping vulnerability (distance from centre vs mortgage).
What do people think?

mark_melb

Liz,

Big ask.

How do I begin?

Start by putting the cost of fuel into perspective.

Fuel in Australia is cheap about $1.45 as opposed to Europe at around $2.25.
Government does not support Public transport infrastructure. Money is doled out for highways/freeways to the burbs but train stations get leakey roofs and electronic advertising signs.
The Australian population is fixated on the Quarter acre block even though standard house lots are less than half that.
Programs in Australia. $2000 subsidy to convert your car to LPG but I had to pay 100% for my $3500 bike.
Tax on 4WDs still much less than for a sedan and even greater for a fully imported economical European car. The new model Commodore struggles to achieve less than 10 litres per 100kms and is priced around the $40000. People in Australia regard this as 'A Family Car'.
We plant lawn.
Star ratings on a 30 square home for 2.5 people are a waste of time.
We don't pay a personal greenhouse gas tax.
Shopping Centres are legal.
Cafes can afford to run thos outside gas heaters.
Sustainable City Design? Look at O/S models.

http://www.carfree.com/

http://www.demographia.com/

http://www.culturechange.org/cms/index.php

http://www.see-search.com/business/fuelandpetrolpriceseurope.htm

http://www.o2.org/index.php

http://www.pps.org/

http://www.sprawlkills.com/

http://green.net.au/srd/

I don't want to put you off but you need to tighten the subject.

Mark