Previous research

Synopsis

This thesis was about facilitating perceptions of place to include what I termed ‘invisible’ social, economic and political landscapes.

The problem

We have a fascination with visible physical landscapes, so in a city like the Gold Coast whose form and expression eschews the conventional order of cities, we do not recognise complexities and contradictions. Confusion and misunderstandings occur. Meanings and values embedded in the landscape are denied. The substance of the cultural landscape is not appreciated and inevitably the place is dismissed as superficial and culturally deficient.

The process

A phenomenological process was applied to distil the essence of the cultural landscape through stories derived from the Gold Coast Bulletin.

• Newspaper stories and advertisements 1949-1999 were derived and worked into four single-perspective landscape readings (physical, social, economic, political).

• These were further distilled to 44 core themes which represent the substance of the cultural landscape.

• The themes can be read either separately, grouped according to their singular perspectives, or altogether. When understood collectively, they are more comprehensive than conventional interpretations that are limited to analysis of the physical landscape, and certainly more meaningful than typical chronological accounts of history. Importantly, the simultaneous readings of the visible (physical landscape) and invisible landscape readings:

  • facilitate a heightened sense of place through presenting a dynamic understanding of the cultural landscape in which the past, present and future are seamlessly connected;

  • expose the popular dismissal and denigration of the Gold Coast as cultural chauvinism, and demonstrate that the Gold Coast is a burgeoning cultural mass that is widely misunderstood and undervalued;

  • reveal those aspects of Gold Coast’s culture which make it distinctive; and,

  • enable the reader to discern elements within the cultural landscape that are vulnerable and in need of special attention in urban planning, design and management.

The solution

‘Invisible Landscapes’ showed how we can become better at complex perception to include consideration of the ‘invisible’ economic, social and political landscapes and therefore gain deeper and more rounded appreciation of the substance of the city. This is important for management of the cultural landscape. If we recognise critical and interrelated issues we will be better equipped to devise more sophisticated and effective approaches to conservation and enhancement.

Research outputs

• Deep and substantial interpretative resource to facilitate deeper understanding of Surfers Paradise.

• New theoretical position, which responds to deficiency in the ways that we read and understand the cultural landscape.

Dividend: both the theoretical position and interpretive process can be applied universally.

Invisible Landscapes: Interpreting the unconventional cultural landscape of Surfers Paradise

Queensland University of Technology, Master of Built Environment (Urban Design) 2001

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Thesis

Appendix 1 Physical Landscape Reading

Appendix 2 Social Landscape Reading

Appendix 3 Economic Landscape Reading

Appendix 4 Political Landscape Reading