This resource summarises what the research evidence says about the different types of contacts with nature (‘nature contacts’) that promote child wellbeing. It describes a common type of nature contact for young children and summarises the evidence for the benefits of nature play.

Australasian cities are hotspots where increased urbanisation and nature collide, hotspots for threatened biodiversity and degradation. Papers in this track provide an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to learn from each other, as well as position and present Australasian research on city and nature with global relevance.

This paper argues that the ‘living with nature’ movement and technocratic responses, such as Nature-based Solutions, are ideological fantasies of curation. Instead, this paper maintains that ecosystems must become the frames and bases for decision-making.

This paper introduces the idea of ‘composing’ the soundscape of a space through a musical process. With a focus on aural experience in gardens, the project is establishing what types, combinations and intensities of sounds offer interest and distraction and capture unconscious and conscious attention.

This paper reports the results of a 2021 Monash University collaborative Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning and Design Studio, where students speculated on ways to address climate change adaptation in the small coastal towns Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay and Marengo on the Great Ocean Road (GOR).