Designing resilient community places in diverse climates

Resilient community places are essential in today's landscape architecture, especially as we face both environmental and societal challenges. Working in Australia and the UAE has given me unique insights into how resilience manifests differently based on the context, yet shares the common goal of creating adaptable, inclusive and sustainable places for people to thrive.

Both Australia and the UAE are subject to climate extremes, whether it's the soaring desert temperatures of the UAE or the bushfires and droughts that Australia frequently faces. In both environments, landscape architecture must play a vital role in mitigating these challenges. My work in the UAE has focused on designing spaces that incorporate shading elements, water-sensitive design and planting strategies that can survive harsh, arid conditions, without consuming vast quantities of water. In Australia, we prioritise drought-resistant planting and bushfire resilience, often working with native species to restore ecosystems while creating community spaces that offer refuge and connection.

The cultural diversity between Australia and the UAE presents another layer of complexity and opportunity when designing resilient spaces. In the UAE, community places must cater to a mix of local traditions and expatriate lifestyles, requiring designs that are inclusive and respectful of different cultures. Open spaces are often places for social gathering, festivals and communal prayer, which inform how we think about layout and functionality. In Australia, I’ve found that our community spaces often draw on the country's deep connection to the land, especially in collaboration with First Nations communities. In both regions, landscape architecture has the power to create spaces that foster belonging, regardless of cultural background, by embedding inclusivity into the core design.

Resilience in community spaces is also deeply tied to environmental sustainability. In both regions, I’ve seen the importance of designing landscapes that restore and sustain ecological health. In the UAE, this often involves strategies that reduces the need for irrigation by using native and adaptive plants species and canopy trees to mitigate heat. In Australia, efforts often focus on biodiversity corridors and restoring bushland, so that community spaces support local wildlife and plant species. By blending these strategies, we create places that are not only pleasant for people but also contribute to the broader ecological resilience of the region.

Another aspect I’ve explored in both countries is urban greening as a strategy to cool urban environments. In the UAE, urban areas can become significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas. To counter this, I’ve worked on integrating community places with extensive tree coverage to create cooler microclimates. Similarly, in Australia, we use urban greening to cool down public spaces during the summer months, incorporating dense understorey planting and tree canopies into our designs to enhance comfort and user experience. These greening strategies not only make spaces more liveable but also contribute to broader goals of reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability in urban environments.

Resilient community spaces are about more than just physical elements, they also foster social cohesion. Public spaces should encourage interaction, inclusivity and shared experiences, which are crucial for building strong communities. In the UAE, parks and plazas often serve as gathering points for diverse populations, so it’s essential to design spaces that are accessible and welcoming to everyone. Families frequently visit playgrounds with children at night when the temperatures are cooler, making it essential for these spaces to be safe, well-lit and comfortable for use during evening hours.

In Australia, the community often gathers around natural landmarks or parks and our designs focus on creating inclusive spaces that enhance this communal spirit and celebrate indigenous culture. Whether it's through playgrounds, shaded seating areas, or open green spaces for events, these community hubs foster the social resilience that is vital for thriving, connected communities.

My work across Australia and the UAE has shown me that while the contexts differ, the principles of resilient community places remain consistent. Whether we are combating extreme heat, fostering social inclusion, or contributing to environmental sustainability, the goal is always to create spaces where people can connect with each other and with nature. Resilient community places are about more than just surviving adversity, they are about thriving in it, creating spaces where people, culture and nature come together harmoniously.