30. Designing Sustainable Urban Transitions with Christian Bason

How do we design cities that are both sustainable and deeply liveable? Christian Bason, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney and one of Europe’s leading voices in public sector innovation, brings a unique perspective to this question.

Drawing on his research in design for societal challenges and his leadership roles in government and civic innovation, Bason explores how design can be a driver of systemic urban change.

From Europe’s New European Bauhaus movement, which is embedding sustainability and aesthetics into the heart of policy, to the radical redesign of Copenhagen - now ranked among the world’s most liveable cities - Bason describes how design thinking can accelerate the shift toward more resilient urban systems. He also shares insights from Thoravej 29, his base of work and Denmark’s most sustainable building renovation to date, which serves as a hub for social innovation and collaboration. Together, these case studies illustrate a roadmap for global cities seeking to navigate the transition toward thriving, sustainable urban futures.

Bason's work has consistently bridged the worlds of academia, policymaking, and practice, demonstrating that sustainable transformation requires more than technology or policy alone, but also a deep cultural and design-led reimagining of how we live together in cities.

Other speakers in this episode include:

• Her Excellency Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, Danish Ambassador to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji
• Eamon Waterford, CEO, Committee for Sydney
• Dr Leanne Sobel, Adjunct Fellow at UTS Business School and Director Strategic Design at Snowmelt
• Jua Cilliers, Professor of Urban Planning and Associate Dean at UTS Faculty of Design and Society
• Prof Martin Tomitsch, Professor & Head of the UTS Transdisciplinary School | Strategic Design | Researcher in Future Technologies, Human-Computer Interaction and Responsible Innovation

This event and episode were brought to you by The Committee for Sydney and UTS.

Impact Talks at UTS is an Impact Studios podcast.