Where is "country"?
Indigenous intelligence in the fabric of Melbourne
Javier Arpa Fernandez (TU Delft - Public Building and Housing Design)
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Abstract
In Aboriginal culture, "country" embodies a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land, integral to the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. As Melbourne’s suburban sprawl accelerates, integrating Indigenous values into urbanism becomes increasingly vital. While projects like Nightingale Village and landmarks such as the William Barak Tower acknowledge this heritage, they highlight tensions between cultural respect and commercial priorities. Moving forward, embedding Indigenous knowledge into planning and design is essential—not just as a symbol, but as a guide for sustainable, inclusive urban growth in a changing climate.