Lars Coenen has been appointed chair of Resilient Cities at the University of Melbourne.
Lars Coenen has been appointed chair of Resilient Cities at the University of Melbourne.

Lars Coenen appointed chair of Resilient Cities

A world-renowned academic in the field of innovation studies will chair a new initiative aimed at boosting Melbourne’s ability to be resilient through environmental and economic changes.

Lars Coenen, a former professor at the Centre for Innovation, Research and Competence in the Learning Economy (CIRCLE) at Sweden’s Lund University, was in August appointed inaugural chair of the Resilient Cities initiative.

A joint initiative of the City of Melbourne and University of Melbourne, Resilient Cities will see Coenen based at the university’s Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning from early 2017.

As part of the role he will work closely with the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute (MSSI) and seek out new partnerships and enhance student opportunities to build world-class teaching and research programs, institute director Brendan Gleeson said.

‘His particular expertise is the sustainability innovations needed to future-proof cities and contribute to their safety and liveability in the face of environmental changes and the many economic and social challenges these raise,’ Gleeson said.

The role will also see Professor Coenen work with City of Melbourne’s chief resilience officer.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the City was looking forward to Professor Coenen’s insights and that his appointment would boost Melbourne’s credentials as a ‘knowledge city’.