CDEV3300/ 6200 Global Practice of Work

This was an exciting London-based opportunity for students who participated in a cross-cultural & multidisciplinary learning experience to explore real-world issues related to urban redevelopment.

TEDI-London’s vision is to transform engineering education to transform lives – this meant preparing students with the skills and knowledge to identify and solve global challenges. Resilient, sustainable, healthy and productive communities are key to society. A vibrant, comprehensive and effective transport system is required in order for communities to achieve these aspirations.

On this project students investigated and proposed innovative transport solutions in and around the London suburb of Canada Water (where TEDI-London is located). They worked with experts across the TEDI-London founding partners as well as key industry stakeholders such as Network Rail, Transport for London, and, British Land where they developed innovative approaches and solutions, offering opportunities to practical implementation.

Students were required to understand the problem through research and data analysis, then conceptualise and work in collaboration in TEDI-London’s makerspaces to design, prototype and trial engineering solutions.

“If you only go on one trip in your university career, be sure to pick this one. TEDI-London assembled a dynamic and enthusiastic team of students from UNSW Sydney, King’s College London, and Arizona State University to tackle some of the real-life challenges that the London community faces. During our journey, we had the opportunity to engage and connect with leaders from Global Generation, British Land, London Grow, JLL and most importantly, members of the local Canada Water community. The Summer School program truly challenged the way that we think and perceive, however the best aspect of it all, was the focus on building natural relationships with one another, which we will now have for a lifetime.”

- Jordan, UNSW ADA Student

Read what other students thought of their TEDI-London experience and find out more detail about the project.

In the Japan course students had the opportunity to travel to Fukuoka & Minamiaso, Japan, and collaborate with students and academics from Kyushu University on a project aimed at exploring the process of adaptive reuse and how it can be applied to enable the restoration of key architectural landmarks. 

Shoei Yoh is a leading figure in 20th Century architecture in Japan. His office archive is now with Kyushu University, who have collaborated with UNSW’s Computational Design academics to digitise Yoh’s archive, and have recorded his buildings in 3D to capture this legacy.

Yoh’s Music Atelier, built in 1985, sits in the Aso Mountains and has laid empty for many years. The Music Atelier is next to the iconic Aspecta outdoor amphitheatre venue, also designed by Yoh. Sadly, if a use cannot be found for the Music Atelier building, this important architectural work may face demolition.

On this course, students travelled to Japan for two weeks, visiting the port city of Fukuoka (a city of 5 million and home to Kyushu University) and the Aso Mountains in central Kyushu, where they explored possibilities for the adaptive reuse of Yoh’s Music Atelier. The academic project partner is Kyushu University, Faculty of Design. Kyushu is one of the highest-ranking universities in Japan, and the Faculty of Design is located in the Ohashi Campus, in inner city Fukuoka.

Students met with stakeholders from industry, government, academia and the local Minamiaso community to research, explore and ultimately propose sustainable solutions for the adaptive reuse of this building and surrounds. Students also collaborated with students from Kyushu University on the project.

In summer students have had the opportunity to develop their innovation and entrepreneurship skills working in the heart of Israeli start up culture in Tel Aviv.

This course gave students the chance to work on start-up projects with genuine responsibility and the opportunity to make a material difference to the business. Working under the guidance of the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship at Reichman University (Israel’s leading university in innovation and entrepreneurship) students developed key entrepreneurial skills such as creativity, collaboration, and resilience.

Trip details

Whilst in Tel Aviv students participated in master classes delivered by Reichman University followed by project work with a participating local start-up company.

In addition to the program activities, students also joined the program directors for a welcome dinner in Tel Aviv and two day-tours to the Old City of Jerusalem and the Ancient site of Masada and the Dead Sea.