Paul Downton

Paul Downton

I'm an architect, urban ecologist, writer, international speaker (6 continents), green building and ecocity pioneer and I've been an advocate for climate action for over 30 years.

I'm an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide, and a doctoral examiner for Victoria University of Wellington and Auckland.

I'm a Co-Founder of the Ecocity Design Institute and look forward to presenting some powerful and exciting on-line courses over the next year or two.

I love China and am honoured to be DeTao Master of Ecological Urban Design, senior consultant for Green World Solutions (Beijing) Co Ltd, and Chief Designer for the International Eco-Technology Institute/Agence C&P Architecture.

I've also worked with the Chinese Society for Urban Studies and Chinese Academy of Sciences and I'm an Adviser to the Zhuhai Municipal People’s Government. I serve on the URBIS Advisory Board and as an Expert Panel Member of Katerva.

As an architect, my projects include keynote green buildings for Adelaide Zoo and the Australian National University, the iconic Halifax EcoCity Project and the internationally awarded Christie Walk development.

I was 2013 winner of the Tehran International Award.

In 1991 I was Founder of Urban Ecology Australia, and in 1989 founded Australia’s first community organisation focused on climate change.

My doctorate is in environmental studies and I've over 30 years teaching and practicing architecture. I am told that I'm an acknowledged world leader in ecocity theory.

For some years I was editor and a principal author of the Australian government’s ‘Your Home Technical Manual’ and my book ‘Ecopolis: Architecture and Cities for a Changing Climate’ was published by Springer in 2009.

I contribute regularly to ‘The Nature of Cities’ blog and I'm currently working on the development of courses in Ecological Urban Design and Ecocity Theory, as well as projects in New Zealand and Australia.

I believe strongly that all cities should develop design guidelines for non-human species and my grandchildren provide a constant reminder that there is a hell of a lot to do to ensure a survivable planet for them to inherit.

June 2015