Urban Riparian Post-quarry-landfill (URPQL) Landscapes

Digital Everyday Storytelling Platform Prototype

Darebin Creek & Merri Creek Watersheds

Urban Riparian Post-quarry-landfill (URPQL) offer unique landscape conditions that can be studied from a changing land use perspective from historical to present conditions. The large impacts of URPQLs on their context physically and the socio-ecological and cultural impacts are investigated through this research. By examining three case study sites— CERES and Darebin Parklands, and Wollert Landfill, this study provides a comparative understanding of the often unseen but rich history and potential for URPQL landscapes regeneration along the Darebin and Merri Creeks. Through spatial analysis, archival research, and creative community participation methods and prototyping, this project hopes to unveil the often hidden or unseen knowledge and components to inform new designs for future URPQL landscapes. The additional aim is to build communication and knowledge-sharing space prototype for URPQL landscapes and their local communities. The interdisciplinary research also explores the temporal dimensions of these sites, including the life cycles of use and closure and future trajectories. The research will highlight innovative design strategies that address community needs and visions while incorporating cultural knowledge and investment in the health of the land. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating diverse voices, different expertise and local knowledge and stories into the design and planning stages through participatory approaches. By leveraging both digital and physical prototypes, the project aims to build contemporary communication and knowledge-sharing spaces for URPQL landscapes.

WHY?

Scarred post-industrial landscapes, shaped by quarrying and dumping, hold interconnected memories, stories, knowledge systems, and community actions that remain largely undocumented. Current methods—archival research, on-site observations, interviews, and local participation—are often fragmented and vulnerable to loss. For example, the devastating loss of records in the CERES bluestone building fire underscores the urgent need for resilient systems to preserve collective memory, community actions, local narratives, and citizen histories.

This platform aims to address these gaps by creating open channels for listening, sharing, and collaboration. It empowers individuals connected to Urban Riparian Post-Quarry-Landfill (URPQL) locations to share their often-unheard voices, fostering a dynamic archive of stories and visions for these landscapes.

Overview

Welcome to the URPQL Digital Storytelling Platform Prototype

This platform prototype is designed to bring together communities, researchers, and individuals who care about the unique and often-overlooked Urban Riparian Post-Quarry-Landfill (URPQL) landscapes. By merging the digital and physical worlds, this space provides an inclusive and accessible environment for sharing stories, experiences, and knowledge about these historically scarred yet ecologically significant areas.

Through interactive mapping and multimedia contributions, we invite you to explore, document, and co-imagine the past, present, and future of these landscapes. Together, we can uncover hidden narratives, foster deeper connections to the land and water, and contribute to a holistic understanding of these vital spaces.

As this is a prototype, we welcome your inputs, feedback, and, most importantly, your participation! Your contributions—whether through text, photos, videos, or audio—will help build a living archive that continues to grow and evolve, shaping the future vision of URPQL landscapes for generations to come.

Join us in imagining a more resilient, sustainable, and culturally rich future for URPQL landscapes.

Before we start…

Identified URPQL Landscapes Along Merri Creek and Darebin Creek

This section highlights the key Urban Riparian Post-Quarry-Landfill (URPQL) sites along Merri and Darebin Creek. These landscapes, shaped by past quarrying and landfill activities, are now undergoing various stages of ecological recovery and community-led restoration.

Step 1: Consent Form

Step 2: Instruction

Step 3: Participation

Case Studies

Featured Case Study Sites:

CERES Community Environment Park (Merri Creek)
Darebin Parklands (Darebin Creek)
Wollert Hanson Landfill (Darebin Creek)

These sites exemplify community-led restoration, ongoing ecological challenges, and opportunities for future transformation. By contributing your knowledge, stories, and insights, you can help build a more comprehensive understanding of these vital landscapes.

How You Can Participate:
You can actively contribute to the documentation of these URPQL sites by sharing personal stories, observations, and reflections. Your submissions—whether text, photos, audio, or video—will appear on the interactive map, connected to specific locations. This allows others to explore the cultural, social, and ecological dimensions of these landscapes through a collective lens.

All contributions will be integrated into the detailed timeline below, unveiling often-unseen aspects of these landscapes from the past and present, while co-imagining their future.

As this platform is a prototype, we welcome your feedback to enhance its functionality. Your participation is essential in shaping a tool that helps envision resilient and adaptive futures for URPQL landscapes. Let’s work together to bring these stories to light and reimagine the possibilities for these environments.

Case Study #1 CERES Community Environment Park

Case Study #2 Darebin Parklands

Case Study #3 Wollert Hanson Landfill

Call for Participation

Do you carry a memory of the URPQL landscapes along Darebin and Merri Creek that you long to share?

Is there a story that unfolded in these places, waiting to be told?

What do you treasure most about these landscapes, a piece of them you hold dear?

Will you add your voice to the conversation about their past, present, and future?

Are you ready to let your voice be heard, your wisdom shared, and your story woven into the fabric of these lands?

Here is a 5-minute survey about Urban Riparian Post-quarry-landfill landscapes everyday storytelling research at Darebin and Merri Creek Watersheds. QR code is provided on the left as well if you would like to participate through mobile devices.

What would happen after?

Once participants upload their data, it will be reviewed and integrated into the digital storytelling platform's interactive map. The data will be publicly accessible, allowing others to explore the contributions tied to specific locations across the URPQL landscapes. This includes text, audio, video, and photo entries, contributing to a collective knowledge base that grows over time. The data will not only help inform ongoing research but will also serve as a resource for future community discussions, educational projects, and urban planning initiatives. Additionally, participants' contributions will remain part of a living archive that helps shape future visions for the landscape, ensuring the stories and knowledge shared are preserved for future generations.

If you would like to remain anonymous or be credited for your contributions, please indicate your preference in the survey above when submitting your data. Your choice will be respected and reflected accordingly on the platform. If you wish to receive updates, including newsletters, follow-up reports, publications, conference details, or events, please feel free to subscribe to this website or indicate your preference in the survey.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we work, learn and live. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the importance of Indigenous knowledge in the Academy.