Nicole Porter
Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering
Contact
Expertise Summary
Dr Porter's interests, qualifications and experience span a range of built environment disciplines including landscape architecture, urban design and architecture. Following training at the University of Melbourne (PhD, M.Arch, Grad Cert L.Arch, BPD) Nicole taught landscape theory within the landscape program at Melbourne. In 2008 Nicole was appointed as lecturer in Landscape Architecture at the University of Canberra, where she taught a number of design studios, with projects ranging from individual residential gardens through to urban interventions / installations, critical urban design scenarios and the design and management of National Park landscapes. Her current role at the University of Nottingham includes undergraduate architecture studio teaching and research with a strong landscape and place making focus. Nicole has practiced as an urban designer with the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, where she engaged in master planning work and strategic policy research. Nicole led the production of the PIA award winning Molonglo Valley Place making guide (2010). She is a Registered Landscape Architect with the AILA.
Teaching Summary
I am currently involved in teaching the 'Peak District landscape' unit as part of the undergraduate design studio within the Architecture program.
Research Summary
My research interests focus on place branding, place making, landscape representation and landscape design.
Other specific areas of interest include: the design and management of National Parks, landscape and identity, the communication of values through landscape architectural design, urban installations and the activation of public spaces, multifunctional and hybrid landscapes, and built environments for active living.
Recent Publications
NICOLE PORTER and CATHERIN BULL, 2013. Representing and Designing Nature: cultural constructions of the Blue Mountains, Australia. In: ETHAN CARR, RICHARD G WILSON and SHAUN EYRING, eds., Public Nature: Scenery, History and Park Design 1. University of Virginia Press. (In Press.)
NICOLE PORTER, 2012. Place branding and urban design: intangible values and tangible effects In: Designing Place.
WASANA DE SILVA, JONATHAN HALE and NICOLE PORTER, 2012. Performing Place Kandy Sri Lanka In: Designing Place.
NICOLE PORTER, 2012. Bowen Place Crossing At: Landscape Architecture Australia (In Press.)
Past Research
I completed my PhD thesis in 2009, titled The promotion and production of contemporary landscape: place branding, media and landscape architectural design projects for the Blue Mountains, Australia 1995 - 2009. This research explores the professional conceptualisation, representation and design of landscape within contemporary culture. A case study of the cultural construction of the Blue Mountains (Australia) examines the practices of creative industries including landscape architecture, print media and electronic media, focusing on whether these perpetuate or challenge the systematic promotion of landscape practiced through 'place branding'. By addressing how landscape ideas are communicated in various media, this research contextualizes landscape architecture within the current domain of cultural practice and discourse.
For more details please refer: http://repository.unimelb.edu.au/10187/9257