Media Architecture Institute

Dr M. Hank Haeusler, General Chair of the Media Architecture Biennale 2016 and Director of Computational Design at UNSW Australia shares Top 5 Things you didn’t know about Digital Placemaking…

Digital Placemaking is defined as the use of digital technology within a dedicated public urban space, designed specifically for the purpose of communicating with the public. More often than not, it is associated with images on public buildings. These are only a part of the picture that makes up the world of digital placemaking.

Here, Dr Haeusler, de-bunks some common myths and introduces us to world of digital placemaking:

1. Digital Placemaking IS energy efficient.
Dr Haeusler explains this is because it optimises the use of resources by providing better data and accurate information. Also, the LED lights used in projects are the most energy efficient available.

2. The World’s BIGGEST placemaking project is…
The transformation of Times Square, New York. MAB16, Keynote speaker, Ethan Kent worked on this project with the aim of creating an interactive, digital plaza.

3. Digital Placemaking is critical to the creation of future cities.
Digital Placemaking and Smart Cities will transform the use of our cities in the same way the smart phone has transformed the way we communicate with each other.

4. More and more people are studying Digital Placemaking.
The Bachelor Degree of Design Computing at the University of Sydney and the Bachelor of Computational Design at UNSW are two “one-of-a-kind” degrees where future digital placemakers are educated.

5. Digital Placemaking projects come from everywhere.
… and bring people together as Vivid Sydney does each year – what digital placemaking aims is bringing the buzz of Vivid Sydney into a city and using the connectivness and interaction to address problems in our cities such as public transport.