Emerging ISUF network: Australia and New Zealand urban morphology network (ANZUMN)

Abstract

While there are extensive publication accounts of Australasian planning history, little direct focus on urban morphology had occurred until the late 1990s when Arnis Siksna undertook comparative town plan analysis revealing the close relationship of block size and related form of several Australian and American city formations. Over recent decades several scholars have developed relevant studies in both Australia and New Zealand that suggest timely consolidation as a regional group. Indeed, as a counterpoint to the centric dominance of urban morphology in the northern hemisphere, the ISUF 2013 conference was hosted in Brisbane and explored the ideas of 'urban form at the edge' and 'off centre areas' that have produced innovative approaches to the study of traditional, as well as post-colonial and contemporary morphologies. This viewpoint will expand on the emerging themes within the research field.