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Following an international search, The University of Western Australia is pleased to announce that Dr Jörg Baumeister has recently been appointed as the new Director of the Australian Urban Design Research Centre (AUDRC). Professor Baumeister has been researching, practising and teaching Urban Design and Architecture for more than 20 years in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Dr Baumeister has been Professor of Urban Design and Development at the German University of Technology (GUtech) in Oman since 2010. There he headed the research team responsible for the redevelopment of Muttrah, the main tourist destination of Oman, for the Oman Ministry of Tourism and Heritage and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs.

Previously he held the Founding Chair of Urban Design and Development at the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development (EiABC) in collaboration with ETH Zurich.

The Australian Urban Design Research Centre was established in 2004 in partnership with the State Department for Planning and Infrastructure WA (now Department of Planning) as a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the quality of urban places in Australia.

The Centre is part of the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts (ALVA) at UWA and its board is chaired by Dr Janet Holmes à Court AC. The Centre's mission is ‘to engage with the big issues facing the city, the state and the nation in terms of urban development and through research, education and advocacy lead debates on urban design in order to have a practical impact upon the way in which Australian cities are designed and developed.'

Professor Baumeister will be the third Director following inaugural Director and ALVA alumnus the late Ruth Durack (2004 -2010) and Winthrop Professor Richard Weller 2011-12, now of the University of Pennsylvania.

‘Baumeister follows in the footsteps of two very dynamic directors and I have no doubt that his vision, enthusiasm and vast experience will bring a unique presence and inspired direction to the Centre' said Winthrop Professor Simon Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts. ‘Initially he'll be working closely with Interim Director Winthrop Professor Geoffrey London, whom I'd like to thank for his dedicated leadership over the intervening period.'

AUDRC offices are located off-campus in the CBD of Perth, and include a contemporary gallery space and design studio. The Centre is a base for over thirty postgraduate students and functions as an energetic interdisciplinary hub and interface between government, industry and academia.

Professor Jörg Baumeister begins his appointment at AUDRC in early January 2014.

Media references

Winthrop Professor Simon Anderson | Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts
Ph +61 8 6488 2589