Nicholas Stevens

Biography

Nicholas Stevens is a Landscape Architect and Urban Planner. He is a member of the Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where he leads the Land Use Planning and Urban Design Research Theme.

His research explores the concept of Sociotechnical Urbanism and the application of Ergonomics and Human Factors methods to the perennial problems of Urban Planning. Nicholas has also published widely in the areas of airport and regional land use development, examining the concepts of the Airport City and Aerotropolis. He also has significant experience in collaborative research projects with Australian local, state and federal governments, private enterprise, and national and international research institutions.

In 2015, Nicholas was awarded an Australian Government Citation for Teaching Excellence for his development of design studio based Urban Planning curricula. He teaches across all years of the Bachelor of Urban Design and Town Planning (Honours) Program.

He currently serves on the Planning Institute of Australia organising committee for the Sunshine Coast, as well as the Sunshine Coast Councils, Urban Design Advisory Panel.

More information on Nicholas' research is available at:

• Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems
• Land use planning and urban design

Professional memberships

• Sunshine Coast Council Urban Design Advisory Panel
• Editorial board of the journal – Human Factors in Manufacturing and Service Industries (Wiley)
• Planning Institute of Australia
• Urban Development Institute of Australia

Awards

• Cutting Edge Teaching and Research Category Commendation – National Planning Institute of Australia Awards for Excellence. The Gamification of Planning Education, 2019
• Cutting Edge Teaching and Research Category Winner – Planning Institute of Australia (Queensland) Awards for Planning Excellence. The Gamification of Planning Education, 2018
• Overall Winner - Planning Institute of Australia (Queensland) Awards for Planning Excellence. The Gamification of Planning Education, 2018
• Vice-Chancellor and Presidents Awards - Commendation for Excellence in Engagement 2017
• Vice-Chancellor and Presidents Awards - Commendation for Excellence in Research (Early Career Researcher)
• Commonwealth Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) 2015: In recognition for establishing applied curricula and digital resources which prioritise student access to town planning principles, practice and projects, enabling them to 'plan for great places'.
• Largest Total Funding Awarded for an ARC Linkage – Project Grant, 2007, Queensland University of Technology (Team based)
• Award for Outstanding Contribution – Community Practice Unit, 2006, Australian Housing and Research Institute (AHURI) (Individual)

Potential research projects for HDR and Honours students

• off-road and unsealed road safety
• human factor methods in land use planning and urban design
• sensory design of urban environments
• airport and regional land use planning
• infill development scenarios for transport corridors
• 3D visualisation for complex urban systems
• active transport infrastructure development

Research areas

• sociotechnical systems approaches to land use planning and urban design
• visualisation of urban design and town planning education
• airport land use planning and development
• cities as complex systems
• sustainable infrastructure development

Teaching areas

• City and Urban Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Land Use Planning and Urban Design Methods
• Strategic Infrastructure Planning
• Community Planning
• Human Factors and Land Use Planning

Program coordinator

• Master of Regional Planning by Research
• Bachelor of Urban Design and Town Planning (Honours)

Expert media commentary

Dr Nicholas Stevens' specialist areas of knowledge include airport and regional development, and understanding, evaluating and undertaking urban design and land use planning through complex systems approaches.