A Triple Helix Approach: An inter-disciplinary approach to research into sustainability in outer- suburban housing estates

Outer-suburban housing estates dominate new house constructions in Australia, and are a major contributor current and future environmental impacts such as water, waste and greenhouse gas emissions (Blair et al. 2003). Typically houses in these estates are built without an in-depth consideration of ecological sustainability factors. Program interventions aimed at promoting more sustainable practices have typically involved the dissemination of information materials, such as the ‘Your Home’ design guide, or the development of demonstration ‘eco-homes’, the most notable example being the ACF Greenhome completed in 1993. There is little evidence to suggest that these programs have had any substantive impact on mainstream housing developments (Okraglik 1995). EcoHome is a three-year cross-disciplinary research study into what sustainability outcomes are possible for the industry using existing design methods and technologies, including design, technical and sociological research. Each research stream, and its strategy have been selected to address specific barriers to the mainstreaming of more sustainable homebuilding practices in Australia. The research is based around a new demonstration eco-house at the Estate of Cairnlea in Melbourne’s outer west. Outcomes of the research will assist the housing aznd land development industry achieve more sustainable outcomes at the forthcoming 8500 home Aurora Estate to be constructed on the northern fringe of metropolitan Melbourne. This paper outlines the rationale and core methodologies of the project, focussing on the need for inter-disciplinary research both in the context of the outerurban housing industry and sustainability more generally.