Biography
Dr. Beza’s scholarship and teaching aim is to understand the social production of space. This aim is achieved through meaningful knowledge exchanges with communities, academics and students in Colombia, Nepal, Mexico and Australia where the co-production of projects are key to producing outcomes. 90% of his publications are cited, researchers in 54 countries cited his work, 43% of his publications are published in the world’s top 25% journals and 25% of his publications feature international collaboration.
Outcomes achieving of his aim:
-Urban Space: Experiences and Considerations from the Global South. An edited volume analysing and discussing the “appropriate, negotiation and reconfiguration of Urban Space in cities”.
-Development and realisation of a Sensory Urbanism (SU) design research studio investigating the multi-sensory/temporal aspects of place. This studio led to the development of a SU prototype, involving Industrial Design and Architecture students from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia) and Deakin University’s built environment PG students. Reporting of this prototype was published in 2019 and presented at the 24th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia. Currently, he is continuing this work with colleagues at the University of Sydney and Deakin University’s Mediated Intelligence in Design (MInD) Lab.
-Development and realisation of an intercultural design studio (Finding Common Ground) focused on urban redevelopment in Melbourne and Mexico City as well as a conference paper and presentation at the International Urban Design Conference held in Sydney, Australia.
-Planning & realisation of a rural (urban) development and rebuilding studio. Since 2010 this studio examines community self-help/self-organisation practices, in a rural urbanising community in the Mt. Everest region of Nepal. Outcomes related to this work include a journal article published in Planning Theory and Practice (see, 17(2)) and a chapter titled Placemaking in a world where spirituality and community development meet – the Junbesi Valley, Nepal (see above book).
The above support a research and teaching framework that uses concepts established by Heidegger (1962, 2008; 1971, 1975) (being and dwell) and Lefebvre (1996) (an oeuvre and autogestion) to establish a philosophical foundation to Beza’s work. That is, ‘being’ and dwell are used to structure arguments of the existence of urban space. This is extremely important when, for example, examining space created in informal settlements as these settings (in Colombia, Mexico) are largely considered not to exist in a formal planning/regulatory sense and are overlooked by city officials. Lefebvre’s concept then allows for the '[ ] exceptional social capital and self-organisation practices [ ]' that display '[ ] distinctive socio-spatial qualities and dynamics that result from' the social production of space to be articulated. Yet, as the design profession is an experience based field Beza also employs Dewey’s (1934) philosophical deliberations to explain '[ ] aesthetic transactions in human living'. Which allows him to use Dewey’s work to provide a bridge to relate the above philosophies to that of the human experience of urban space, which can also be used to link relatively contemporary arguments of place established by Tuan (1971; 1977), Relph (1976), Whyte (1980), and Hayden (1996).
Read more on Beau's profileBiography summary
Dr. Beza’s academic career was set in motion during his PhD studies where he combined aesthetic transactions and evidence-based decision making to produce outcomes. His thesis involved developing an aesthetic model that he used to identify local resident and tourist perceptions of the Mt. Everest landscape. This perceptual data, obtained from 150 respondents in Nepal and Australia, was analysed using statistical techniques (e.g. ANOVA, Cluster & Factor Analysis) and the aesthetic model to provide for evidence-based decision making in his development of a waste management system for the Junbesi Valley, Nepal.
Beau performs three roles in his position at Deakin University. Below is a brief synopsis of each, his roles are:
Deputy Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning:
To be responsible for overseeing and implementing projects related to improving student learning outcomes and academic teaching across the four Schools in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE). In support of the Associate Dean Teaching and Learning (ADTL); i) To advise on issues related to teaching and learning (T/L) across the Faculty, ii) To support the Faculty advance its T/L objectives in its four schools, and iii) To proactively engage in T/L matters with Deakin University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education (DVCE), Pro Vice-Chancellor-Teaching and Learning, Dean of Students and its faculties, committees and academic/research groups.
Associate Head of School, Teaching and Learning (Curriculum):
To provide leadership to the School of Architecture and Built Environment (A+B) in all aspects of Deakin's T/L plans and be an active member of the School Executive. To work collaboratively with the professoriate, academic and administrative staff of A+B and SEBE, to ensure high quality T/L within the School. To develop and deliver accredited, high quality on-campus and cloud-based teaching programs. To work collaboratively with the Faculty's ADTL, Deputy General Manager, the Governance and Curriculum Group and the Student and Staff Support Group to ensure the management of the School's teaching and learning align with the University and Faculty goals and plans.
Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Built Environment:
To teach in A+B with emphasis on cross-disciplinary design that is in theme with current issues and consistent with the University's principles of teaching, learning and the student experience. To develop learning environments that are flexible, student-centred and accessible, and to utilise appropriate technology. To contribute to research, scholarly publication and the generation of research funding. To develop and nurture links and partnerships with industry, professional bodies and the wider community. To supervise research and honours students, ensuring successful completions and the quality of results. To contribute to the administration of the School and Faculty.
Affiliations
Registered Landscape Architect, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
Units taught
- Urban Perspectives (SRA742/PG)
- Urban Dynamics and Change (SRP782/PG)
- Intercultural Dialogue Through Design (SRD767/PG)
- Built Environment Research Project (SRR311/UG)
- Landscape Design Masterclass (SRD768/PG)
- Thesis (Landscape Architecture) (SRR716/PG)
- Built Enviironment Study Tour (SRR367/UG & SRR767/UG)
- Landscape Narrating and Meaning (SRL731/PG)
- Built Environment Research Project (SRR311/UG & SRR722/PG)
Knowledge areas
Urban Planning,
Landscape Architecture,
Urban Design,
Perception,
Placemaking, and
Development Planning
Professional activities
Links to industry
2021 – Present: Chair, National Education Committee (NEC), Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
2017 – Present: Member, National Accreditation Review Team (NART), Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
2018 - Present: Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, VIC. Education Committee Member.
2013 – 2018: Director, Frueauf Village Falls Creek Alpine Resort.
2004 – 2015: Chair, Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal.
2007 – 2009: Environmental Design Guide Editorial Committee Member.
2003 – 2007: Editorial Advisory Board Member, Landscape Australia Magazine.
2004: National Jury Chair, 2004 AILA National Project Design Awards, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
2003: Chair, Planning Jury, Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture Victorian and Tasmanian Design Awards.
Professional Appointments
2002 - 2004: Founding Director, Architects Without Frontiers, Melbourne, Australia.
1996 - 2000: Landscape Architect/Planner, EDAW (now AECOM), Melbourne, Australia.
1994 - 1995: Project Manager, Urban Planning & Landscape Architecture Department, The Spink Corporation, Sacramento, California, USA.
1990 - 1994: Landscape Designer, The HLA Group, Sacramento, California, USA.
Professional Associations
Registered Landscape Architect, Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture.
(American Society of Landscape Architects Eligible).
(Planning Institute of Australia Eligible).
Australian Karate Federation, Member (4th Dan – Sensei of Karate - i.e. 4th Degree Black Belt).
Recreational Associations
Australian Sailing, Registered
Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, Member
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, Member
Research groups
Research Group Membership
Growing Up In Cities III: Project Lead, Co-ordinator & Researcher
Team Member of the Mediated Intelligence in Design (MInD) Lab
Research Team Member of the Live+Smart Research Lab
Researcher HOME
Competitive Grants/Awards/research consultancy and Prizes (Figures in Australian dollars) (Total from major awards 2010-2020: $1,736,000)
Endeavour Leadership Program grant, Australian Government Department of Education and Training (2019/20) $26,500. Title of project Informal Settlements: Challenges and Opportunities in Urban Development, in collaboration with Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia and Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Mexico.
Coastal scenario planning and assessment modelling research project (2019), $63,000. Through the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, in partnership with Deakin University’s Live Smart Research Lab (2019).
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)(2013-2017) $1.4 million (Chief Investigator (CI) and team member/Category 1/ACIAR project code ASEM/2012/063). Research title: Improving the methods and impacts of agricultural extension in conflict areas of Mindanao, Philippines.
Places Victoria/RMIT University Placemaking Research Grant (2011-2012) $100,000 (Chief Investigator/Category 2/Proj. Code: 0200309090).
Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre Limited (2010-2012) $84,000 (Chief Investigator/ Category 4/Proj. Code: 0200307878)
Various other grants pre-2011 total $62,533 (e.g. World Expeditions Travel Grant (2011), World Expeditions Corporation; Design Research Institute Grant (2010); Lonely Plant Foundation Grant (2006), The Lonely Planet.)
Projects
Current Substantive Research Project
I co-led the most globally expansive research into young people’s contemporary urban life. Growing Up In Cities III involves 17 countries and examines adolescent perceptions of urban space to better understand the impact the local environment has on their lives. The GUIC III project replicates two benchmark adolescent studies done in 1972 by MIT Professor Kevin Lynch and in 1998 by University of Colorado Professor Louise Chawla. Dr. Beza and Dr. Kreutz are the project’s lead researchers coordinating and directing the other international partners and the development of their respective studies. The GUIC III project is intended to empower children, providing them with a voice that advocates for their health and wellbeing, in contemporary urban contexts in Australia-Argentina, Canada-Chile-China-Colombia-El Salvador-India-Korea-Lebanon-Mexico-Nepal-New Zealand-Nigeria-South Africa-United Kingdom and USA.
Self-Sourcing Research, Teaching &/or Co-Production Project Funding - From Intercultural, Development and Rebuilding Studios (Total income 2010-2019: $495,000)
Nepal: Junbesi High School (Junbesi, Nepal)
Potable Drinking Water Co-Production Project (2019); Deakin University, Australia / Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology / Junbesi High School, Nepal / Junbesi Community, Nepal.
Junbesi High School Post-Earthquake Hostel Rebuilding and Co-Production Project (2016); Deakin University, Australia / Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology / Junbesi High School / Junbesi Community.
Student Hygiene Station Design Investigation and Co-Production Project (2012); Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia / Junbesi High School / Junbesi Community.
Nepal: Phungmoche Monastery & Sherpa Language Buddhist School (Phungmoche, Nepal)
Potable Drinking Water Co-Production Project (2018); Deakin University, Australia / Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology / Phungmoche Monastery & Sherpa Language Buddhist School.
Phungmoche Monastery Post-Earthquake Rebuilding and Co-Production Project (Phungmoche, Nepal) (2017); Deakin University, Australia / Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology / Phungmoche Monastery & Sherpa Language Buddhist School.
Incinerator Design Investigation and Co-Production Project (2010); Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia / Phungmoche Monastery & Sherpa Language Buddhist School.
Colombia
Informal Settlements: Challenges and Opportunities in Urban Development (Bogotá) (2015); Deakin University, Australia / Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology / Universidad La Salle, Mexico / Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia / Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden.
Global Cities and Informal Settlement Investigation: Bogotá, Colombia & Mexico City, Mexico (2013): Deakin University, Australia / Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia / Queensland University of Technology, Australia/ Universidad La Salle, Mexico / Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia.
Mexico
Finding Common Ground: Creating Successful Places in the Redevelopment of Mexico City, Mexico and Melbourne, Australia (2014); Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia / Queensland University of Technology, Australia / Universidad La Salle, Mexico.
Publications
J Hernández-García, B Beza
(2022), pp. 401-414, Routledge Handbook of Urban Landscape Research, London, Eng., B1
Conflict and Peace: The Physical and Social
Jaime Hernández-García, Beau Beza
(2022), pp. 401-414, Routledge Handbook of Urban Landscape Research, London, Eng., B1
A Globa, B Beza, R Wang
(2022), Vol. 204, pp. 1-13, Expert Systems with Applications, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Examining PhD modes in the Australian landscape architecture academy
Beau Beza, Joshua Zeunert, Simon Kilbane, Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard
(2022), Vol. 47, pp. 679-694, Landscape Research, London, Eng., C1
Ali Jalali, Phillip Roös, Murray Herron, Paras Sidiqui, Beau Beza, Emma Duncan
(2022), Vol. 17, pp. 491-501, International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics, Edmonton, Alta., C1
Histories of urban heritage: emotional and experiential attachments across time and space
Ursula De Jong, Cristina Garduño Freeman, Beau Beza, Fiona Gray, Matt Novacevski
(2021), pp. 65-79, People-centred methodologies for heritage conservation exploring emotional attachments to historic urban places, London, Eng., B1
Beau Beza, Surabhi Pancholi
(2020), pp. 47-48, Heal the scar: regenerative futures of damaged landscapes, Geelong, Vic., B1
The urban Spanglish of Mexico City
Cristina Garduno Freeman, Beau Beza, Glenda Mejía
(2020), pp. 198-207, Routledge handbook of place, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Place as commodity: informal settlements' contribution to tourism in Bogotá and Medellin
Jaime Hernández-Garcia, Beau Beza
(2020), pp. 605-614, Routledge handbook of place, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Coastal Scenario Planning Model: Point Impossible to Jan Juc Masterplan
Phillip Roos, David Jones, John Herron, Paras Sidiqui, Beau Beza, Aida Eslami Afrooz, Daniel Ierodiaconou
(2020), Geelong, Vic., A6
B Beza, J Zeunert, M Herron
(2019), pp. 228-237, Geelong’s changing landscape: ecology, development and conservation, Clayton, Vic., B1
Sensory urbanism and placemaking exploring virtual reality and the creation of place
A Globa, R Wang, B Beza
(2019), Vol. 2, pp. 737-746, CAADRIA 2019: Intelligent and Informed - Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Wellington, New Zealand, E1
Xiaofeng Shi, Beau Beza, David Jones, Dongxu Cui
(2019), pp. 1-8, ICOMOS - CIAV & ISCEAH 2019 : Proceedings of the Joint Annual Meeting & International Conference on Vernacular & Earthen Architecture towards Local Development, 6-8 September 2019, Pingyao, China, Pingyao, China, E1
Food-sensitive urban planning: Australian perspectives
D Jones, B Beza
(2018), pp. 393-408, Routledge handbook of landscape and food, Abingdon, Eng., B1
The role of WSUD in contributing to sustainable urban settings
B Beza, Joshua Zeunert, Frank Hanson
(2018), pp. 367-380, Approaches to water sensitive urban design: potential, design, ecological health, economics, policies and community perceptions, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, B1
Place? Lugar? Sitio? Framing place and placemaking through Latin American contexts
Beau Beza, Cristina Garduno Freeman, Diego Fullaondo, Glenda Mejía
(2018), pp. 19-42, Urban space: experiences and reflections from the global south, Santiago de Cali, Colombia, B1
Placemaking in a world where spirituality and community development meet - the Junbesi Valley, Nepal
Beau Beza
(2018), pp. 117-134, Urban space: experiences and reflections from the global south, Santiago de Cali, Colombia, B1
B Beza, J Hernández-Garcia
(2018), Vol. 11, pp. 192-207, Journal of Place Management and Development, C1
Developing an open space standard in a densely populated city: A case study of Chittagong city
M Jafrin, B Beza
(2018), Vol. 3, Infrastructures, C1
Urban Space: Experiences and Reflections from the Global South
B Beza, Jaime Hernández-Garcia, Sabina O'Byrne, Adolfo García-Jerez
(2018), Urban Space: Experiences and Reflections from the Global South, Santiago de Cali, Colombia, A7
D Jones, Guiwen Liu, Junli Chen, Igor Martek, Linxi Hu, Beau Beza, Joshua Zeunert, Phillip Roos
(2018), pp. 151-166, IFLA 2018 : Biophilic city, smart nation, and future resilience: Proceedings of the 55th International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress 2018, Singapore, E1
Lovability: The rise of the qualitative evaluation of place
F Gray, C Garduno Freeman, B Beza, U De Jong, M Novacevski
(2018), pp. 1-13, Proceedings of the 2018 11th Liveable Cities Conference, Melbourne, Vic., E1
Women and their roles in peace building in conflict vulnerable areas of Mindanao, Philippines
B Beza, M Johnson, A Fuentes
(2017), pp. 131-145, Community Engagement in Post-Disaster Recovery, Abingdon, Eng., B1
An owner-driven reconstruction in Bihar
M Vahanvati, B Beza
(2017), Vol. 8, pp. 306-319, International journal of disaster resilience in the built environment, Bingley, Eng., C1
Greening Chongqing enhancing 'double happiness' and mountain-city trails as an eco-city strategy
D Jones, G Liu, J Chen, I Martek, B Beza, J Zeunert, P Roos
(2017), pp. 1-17, EcoCity World Summit 2017, Melbourne, Vic, E1
Places for sustainability citizenship
B Beza
(2016), pp. 139-149, Sustainability citizenship and cities: theory and practice, Abingdon, Eng., B1
An Indigenous perspective on sustainability citizenship
D Jones, B Beza
(2016), pp. 150-162, Sustainability citizenship and cities: theory and practice, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Sustainability citizenship in cities
B Beza, R Horne, J Fien, A Nelson
(2016), pp. 1-14, Sustainability citizenship and cities: theory and practice, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Futures for sustainability citizenship
B Beza, A Nelson, R Horne, J Fien
(2016), pp. 209-215, Sustainability citizenship and cities: theory and practice, Abingdon, Eng., B1
B Beza
(2016), pp. 259-269, Estética de los mundos posibles: inmersión en la vida artificial, las artes y las prácticas urbanas, Bogota, Colombia, B1
B Beza
(2016), Vol. 17, pp. 244-263, Planning Theory and Practice, C1
Sustainability, citizenship and cities : theory and practice
R Horne, J Fien, B Beza, A Nelson
(2016), Abingdon, Eng., A7
'Iconic development' : is there such a thing?
G Todaro, B Beza, D Jones
(2016), pp. 554-567, UHPH 2016 : Icons : The Making, Meaning and Undoing of Urban Icons and Iconic Cities : Proceedings of the 13th Australasian Urban History Planning History 2016 conference, Gold Coast, Qld., E1
Owner-driven reconstruction in India: a case-study of Kosi River floods in Bihar
B Beza, M Vahanvati
(2015), pp. 367-1-367-16, Proceedings ANDROID Residential Doctoral School : 5th International Conference on Building Resilience, Newcastle, N.S.W., E1
B Beza, J Veitch, F Hanson
(2015), pp. 1-18, Urban Design 2015: Empowering Change: Transformative Innovations and Projects : Proceedings of the 8th International Urban Design Conference, Brisbane, Qld., E1
The public city : a new urban imagery
B Beza, B Gleeson
(2014), pp. 1-11, The public city: essays in honour of Paul Mees, Melbourne, Vic., B1
Public transport: elements for success in a car-oriented city
J Stone, B Beza
(2014), pp. 90-105, The public city: essays in honour of Paul Mees, Melbourne, Vic., B1
Realizing design projects in the mountains of Australia: a repositioned problem-solving approach
B Beza
(2014), pp. 341-356, Mountains : geology, topography and environmental concerns, B1-1
Informal settlements and placemaking : The case of Caracoli barrio in Bogotá
B Beza, J Hernández-Garcia
(2014), pp. 1-14, UD 2014 : Proceedings of the 7th International Urban Design Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, E1
The aesthetic value of a mountain landscape: a study of the Mt. Everest Trek
B Beza
(2010), Vol. 97, pp. 306-317, Landscape and urban planning, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Improving the methods and impacts of agricultural extension in conflict areas of Mindanao, Philippines Project - transfer in from RMIT
Dr Kenneth Menz, Mr Noel Vock, Prof John Flen, A/Prof Beau Beza, Ms Mary Johnson
ACIAR Grant - Research - Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
- 2016: $4,545
- 2015: $9,090
Supervisions
Junli Chen
Thesis entitled: The Legacy of the Chongqing Cultural Routes Living Heritage
Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture and Built Environment), School of Architecture and Built Environment
Joshua Zeunert
Thesis entitled: Multidimensional sustainability, landscape and food, and public urban agriculture in landscape architecture
Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture and Built Environment), School of Architecture and Built Environment
Heather Threadgold
Thesis entitled: What the Stones Tell Us: Gulidjan Country Stone Sites and Living Spaces
Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture and Built Environment), School of Architecture and Built Environment
Jennifer Dearnaley
Thesis entitled: Wadawurrung Ethnobotany as synthesised from the research of Louis Lane
Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture and Built Environment), School of Architecture and Built Environment
Kenneth Taylor
Thesis entitled: Landscape, Culture and Heritage. Changing Perspectives in an Asian Context
Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture and Built Environment), School of Architecture and Built Environment
. Ni Made Yudantini
Thesis entitled: Bali Aga Cultural Landscape Challenges: Conserving the Balinese Traditional Landscape for Future Balinese Indigenous Villages (Bali Aga) and Communities
Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture and Built Environment), School of Architecture and Built Environment