This paper articulates policy recommendations arising from the design-led approach to developing responses to climate adaptation, developed as part of the VCCCAR-funded project, Design-led Decision Support for Regional Climate Change. The recommendations are intended to facilitate the integration of multiple perspectives in spatial planning. The process for the project is being replicated to assist in...

No matter how serious the climatic impacts may become, one thing became clear: “Leaving is no option”. The framework that has been developed during the charrette illustrates that a small community can decide to be prepared for the future through diversifying its functionalities, facilities and services.

Final report of the research project Design-Led Decision Support for Regional Climate Adaptation. It outlines a decision support framework for policy makers to engage multiple perspectives in regional climate adaptation planning, and includes a project manual comprising both the methods used in the project and a how to guide.

Design charettes (a form of intensive workshop) were held in Bendigo and Sea Lake, engaging community members, local government and state government staff and academics in an intensive process of envisaging and designing alternative futures for their locality based on an understanding of local conditions and potential future climate conditions.

Charrettes are successfully used in the most controversial and complicated design and planning problems. Examples of these include: High stakes projects involving substantial public and private investment; Volatile yet workable political environments - situations that are ‘hot’ but manageable; Complex design problems; Real projects that include imminent development.