Urban Geographer
Taylor Coyne
Background
Taylor Coyne is a PhD candidate, urban geographer, and design researcher working at the intersection of infrastructure, history, and cultural storytelling. Based in the Environment and Society Group at UNSW Sydney, his work examines the layered histories and speculative futures of waterscapes across Sydney’s eastern suburbs, with a focus on surfacing submerged ecologies, Indigenous knowledges, and colonial entanglements.
​
Taylor’s research sits at the confluence of urban political ecology, environmental history, and critical design studies. His doctoral project, Swamp City, investigates how stormwater systems function not only as technical networks but as cultural artefacts that shape, and are shaped by, power, memory, and place. Through archival research, multisensory fieldwork, and collaborative design, he explores how water infrastructure has inscribed uneven geographies of risk, access, and visibility in Sydney’s urban fabric.
​
Alongside his research, Taylor works as a project officer and design collaborator with Yerrabingin, an Indigenous-led design studio, where he supports Country-centred urban design processes across major infrastructure and public realm projects. He has co-led co-design workshops, contributed to award-winning Designing with Country projects, and facilitated research-informed design innovation for clients including Sydney Metro, Health Infrastructure NSW, and the Powerhouse Museum.
What holds particular significance for you in/about Neilsen Park country and Bottle and Glass Point?
Seymour is particularly drawn to seaweed, a vital component in marine systems that provides food and habitat for diverse aquatic life. Seaweed aquaculture further positions itself as a potential aid in the climate crisis, holding uses as food, biofuels and fertilisers. It is important to recognise that First Nations have a deep and diverse traditional knowledge of Australian natural resources, including seaweed. Through Seymour’s research for the Rockpools project, she considers sustainable and ethical methods of ‘extracting’ seaweed as a material for artistic purposes.
How do you create spaces for contemporary leadership, learning and collaboration with other people and the environment?
My work and leadership evolves tentatively but with focus. When people come together to discuss and learn, an approach that relies on openness, honesty, respect and dedication is required. I try to uphold this in all my movements as artist, collaborator, student and teacher.
Resources
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
Name
Resource
We live and work on Bidjigal, Birrabirragal and Gadigal Country. We honour the ongoing cultural and ecological relationships First Nations Australians hold with Country, waters and skies and acknowledge their continued custodianship.
​
Copyright 2023, Floorplan Studio