The Indigenous Design Place (IDP) is a strategic cross-faculty funded initiative supported by The University of Queensland. IDP functions as a research hub, which aims to develop innovative Aboriginal-led social and built environment design solutions to improve quality of life and wellbeing for Australian Indigenous communities.
The IDP builds on the intellectual base established through the AERC to respond to a proven academic, community and industry need for culturally appropriate design solutions with practical application. UQ has a potentially unique and leading competitive advantage in this field, as well as differentiated national research strengths, based on the customer networks and human resources established and built in the AERC over the last 15 years. AERC is recognised for its: (i) breadth of tested UQ research capabilities across the social, engineering, physical, natural sciences and humanities, with proven team experiences; (ii) strong sustained engagement with government and community sectors whereby we respond to their priority needs and project concepts; and (iii) strong capacity for business development and commercial contract management.
Good-Practice Principles in Indigenous Service Delivery and Design
1. Recognising the importance of cultural values, cultural behaviours and connection to country for well-being, including protection of culturally valued assets.
2. Delivering a coordinated set of well-being services that prioritise holistic, sustainable, people-focused outcomes.
3. Designing services and environments promoting a high quality of life, dignity and stability for individuals, families and staff.
4. Responding to the values and goals concerning well-being held by communities.
5. Ensuring community participation and community-controlled governance in relation to service delivery.
6. Maximising indigenous training, employment and enterprise development in all stages of projects or service delivery, to establish community-based economic sustainability.
7. Employing mixed funding sources in economic strategies to ensure continuity, stability and flexibility of enterprises and service delivery systems.
8. Expanding services to other communities by mentor partnering, until such time a community has capacity to self-administrate its own service.
Good-Practice Case Studies
Myuma Pty Ltd
Jimaylya
Orakei Marae
Potawot Health Clinic
Walumba Elders Centre
Ngarara Place, University of Melbourne
