Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr. Michaela Prescott is a Landscape Architect with experience in both professional and academic contexts. She is a research fellow in the Informal Cities Lab at Monash University. Her practice-based research relates to the urbanisation of water- and river systems, the impact of infrastructure on neighbourhoods and communities, and delivery and sustainability of community-based projects. She is involved in the following funded research projects: Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE); Water for Women: Toolkit for the gender responsive co-design of WASH facilities; and Citarum Action Research Program.
Michaela’s doctorate, ongoing research, design studios and publications primarily focus on the socio-cultural dimensions of landscapes and living environments, and the evolving relation of landscape, infrastructure and urbanisation. She teaches at Monash and RMIT universities, and has been a lecturer at RMIT University, and an invited design critic and guest lecturer at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), University Technology Sydney (UTS), and National University Singapore (NUS) Landscape Architecture programs.
Based in Singapore from 2012-2017, she worked on an interdisciplinary research project on rivers in Indonesia (Landscape Ecology, the Ciliwung Project) at the Singapore-ETH Centre, completed a doctorate with ETH Zurich, and worked as a landscape architect at HASSELL Singapore. Over the past decade, she has worked in private and commercial practice in Australia, Singapore and the Netherlands, and in municipal landscape design and urban strategic planning in Melbourne, Australia.
Education/Academic qualification
Architecture, Doctor of Science, Village in the River: transformation of riverine landscapes in vernacular urban settlements in Jakarta, Indonesia, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH Zürich) (Federal Institute of Technology Zurich)
Jan 2012 → Feb 2017
Award Date: 15 Feb 2017
Landscape Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture (Distinction), RMIT University
Feb 2010 → Dec 2011
Award Date: 14 Dec 2011
Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Design (Distinction), RMIT University
Feb 2006 → Dec 2008
Award Date: 14 Dec 2011
Research area keywords
- Landscape architecture
- Informal Settlements
- Architecture
- Environmental stewardship
- Water Sensitive Cities
- Water Sensitive Urban Design
- Riverine Systems
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 15 Life on Land
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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CORE: Citarum Oxbow Remediation and Enhancement (CORE): A Pathway to River Revitalization
Ramirez, D. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Wong, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Prescott, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Maheshwari, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Josey, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Holden, J. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/09/25 → 30/09/28
Project: Research
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Partnering with local knowledge systems to impact river management
Prescott, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
2/09/24 → 18/06/28
Project: Research
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Indonesia-Australia Citarum Action Research Program (CARP) - Circular economy transitions for resilient climate and environmental futures
Ramirez, D. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Wong, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Prescott, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Fridman, I. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Holden, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Raven, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hadfield, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Suwarso, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Marthanty, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Skidmore, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Cikutra , J. D. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (Australia)
1/08/23 → 31/12/24
Project: Research
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Intelligent and Dynamic Remote Sensing For Sustainable Flood Risk Management and Policy
Saputra, R. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Widita, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Virani, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Permanasari, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lechner, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Prescott, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Marthanty, D. R. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/09/22 → 31/08/23
Project: Research
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WfW: Toolkit for the gender responsive co-design of WASH facilities
Batagol, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Sinharoy, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Clasen, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Prescott, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Spasojevic, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Francis, N. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/07/19 → 1/05/22
Project: Research
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Connecting urban green spaces: the importance of irregular settlements in biodiversity and peri-urban planning
Khoirunisa, R., Permanasari, E., Saputra, M. R. U., Hällfors, M., Prescott, M. F. & Lechner, A. M., 2026, In: Urban Ecosystems. 29, 18 p., 115.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Transformative principles for circular economy transitions in the Global South
Hadfield, P., Ningrum, D., Aditya, B., Hardesty, B. D., Holden, J., Maheshwari, T., Marthanty, D. R., Ombasta, O., Prescott, M., Priadi, C., Purnomo, C. E., Ramirez-Lovering, D., Skidmore, M., Suwarso, R., Tanumihardja, D., Taufik, F. D., Wong, T. & Raven, R., 2025, In: npj Urban Sustainability. 5, 1, 11 p., 34.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile13 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Who participates in ‘participatory design’ of WASH infrastructure: a mixed-methods process evaluation
Mink, T. L., Salinger, A. P., Francis, N., Batagol, B., Burge, K., Ilhamsyah, N., Malumu, L., Marzaman, L., Prescott, M. F., Putri, N. I. & Sinharoy, S. S., Jun 2025, In: PLOS Global Public Health. 5, 6, e0003430.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Building community resilience through the multi-disciplinary research of Australia's leading early-career researchers
Elrick-Barr, C., Piggott-McKellar, A., Alim, M. A., Backhaus, B., Boersma, M., Bush, J., Cadd, H., Chapuis, L., Crossley, P., Dalziell, A., Deane, D., Dusenge, M. E., Fischer, T., Godden, N., Hulme, A., Li, A., Morris, H., Prescott, M. F., Rohr, T. & Rosentreter, J. & 6 others, , 2024, Australia: University of the Sunshine Coast. 30 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other Report › Other
Open AccessFile -
Citarum Living Lab: co-creating visions for sustainable river revitalisation
Hadfield, P., Prescott, M., Holden, J., Novalia, W., Suwarso, R., Marthanty, D. R., Priadi, C., Kirana, K. H., Endyana, C., Hardesty, B. D., Taufik, F. D., Zurbrügg, C., Josey, B., Astuti, N., Wong, T. H. F., Ramirez-Lovering, D. & Raven, R., 23 Aug 2024, In: PLOS Water. 3, 8, 23 p., e0000200.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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2023 ArchitectureAU Award for Social Impact - Shortlisting: 'Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments - Project Demonstration Sites'
Ramirez, D. (Recipient), Prescott, M. (Recipient), Kamalipour, H. (Recipient), El-Sioufi, M. (Recipient), Josey, B. (Recipient), Spasojevic, D. (Recipient), Agha Ali Mesgar, M. (Recipient), Wolff, E. (Recipient), Wright, A. (Recipient), Leersnyder, A. (Recipient), Darlison, E. (Recipient), McEvoy, A. (Recipient), Burge, K. (Recipient), Wong, T. (Recipient), Breen, P. (Recipient), Ulrich, C. (Recipient), Wright, A. (Recipient), French, M. (Recipient), Naulumatua, M. (Recipient), Vakarewa, I. (Recipient), Wise, I. (Recipient), Nofoimuli, S. (Recipient), Thaggard, J. (Recipient), Malumu, L. (Recipient), Volau, M. (Recipient), Matairakula, S. (Recipient), Fong, I. (Recipient), Rasovo, M. (Recipient), Vunicagi, K. (Recipient) & Wilson, A. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2026 ArchitectureAU Award for Social Impact - Finalist: 'RISE Tranche 1'
Ramirez, D. (Recipient), Burge, K. (Recipient), Wong, T. (Recipient), Prescott, M. (Recipient), Wright, A. (Recipient), Leersnyder, A. (Recipient), Darlison, E. (Recipient), Breen, P. (Recipient), Spasojevic, D. (Recipient), Josey, B. (Recipient), Wolff, E. (Recipient), Agha Ali Mesgar, M. (Recipient), Tinios, D. (Recipient), French, M. (Recipient), Davis, B. (Recipient), El-Sioufi, M. (Recipient), Anim, D. (Recipient), Wright, A. (Recipient), McEvoy, A. (Recipient), Tran, M. (Recipient), Mulcair, S. (Recipient), Latief, I. (Recipient), Awaluddin, F. (Recipient), Marzaman, L. (Recipient), Putri, I. (Recipient), Ilhamsyah, N. (Recipient), Hidayat, A. (Recipient), Afif Fikriaraz, M. (Recipient), Faisol, M. (Recipient), Ajwad, H. (Recipient), Pati, S. (Recipient), Saifuddaolah, M. (Recipient) & Shaffira, A. (Recipient), 2026
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2026 WRI (World Resources Institute) Ross Center Prize for Cities - Finalist: Revitalizing Informal Settlements and Environments (RISE)
Ramirez, D. (Recipient), Burge, K. (Recipient), Wong, T. (Recipient), Prescott, M. (Recipient), Wright, A. (Recipient), Leersnyder, A. (Recipient), Darlison, E. (Recipient), Breen, P. (Recipient), Spasojevic, D. (Recipient), Josey, B. (Recipient), Wolff, E. (Recipient), Agha Ali Mesgar, M. (Recipient), Tinios, D. (Recipient), French, M. (Recipient), Davis, B. (Recipient), El-Sioufi, M. (Recipient), Anim, D. (Recipient), Wright, A. (Recipient), McEvoy, A. (Recipient), Tran, M. (Recipient), Mulcair, S. (Recipient), Latief, I. (Recipient), Awaluddin, F. (Recipient), Marzaman, L. (Recipient), Putri, I. (Recipient), Ilhamsyah, N. (Recipient), Hidayat, A. (Recipient), Afif Fikriaraz, M. (Recipient), Faisol, M. (Recipient), Ajwad, H. (Recipient), Pati, S. (Recipient), Saifuddaolah, M. (Recipient) & Shaffira, A. (Recipient), 2026
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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ArchitectureAU Award for Social Impact - 'Rise Demonstration Site' - Shortlisted
Ramirez, D. (Recipient), Prescott, M. (Recipient), Kamalipour, H. (Recipient), El-Sioufi, M. (Recipient), Josey, B. (Recipient), Spasojevic, D. (Recipient), Mesgar, M. (Recipient), Wolff, E. (Recipient), Wright, A. (Recipient), Leersnyder, A. (Recipient), Burge, K. (Recipient), Wong, T. (Recipient), Breen, P. (Recipient), Ulrich, C. (Recipient), Wright, A. (Recipient), French, M. (Recipient), Latif, I. (Recipient), Faisol, M. (Recipient), Ajwad, H. (Recipient), Ilhamsyah, N. (Recipient), Putri, I. (Recipient) & Marzaman, L. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering (Journal)
Prescott, M. (Peer reviewer)
2025Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review responsibility
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Environment and Planning F: Philosophy, Theory, Models, Methods and Practice (Journal)
Prescott, M. (Peer reviewer)
2025Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review responsibility
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Australian Research Council (Publisher)
Prescott, M. (Peer reviewer)
2024 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review responsibility
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Parlour LAB 03: Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Indonesia, Fiji and the Gold Coast
Prescott, M. (Contributor)
7 Dec 2020Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Impact AMR Research Colloquium
Prescott, M. (Contributor) & Ramirez, D. (Contributor)
2 Dec 2020Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
Press/Media
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SOUTH SULAWESI PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT: 'Fatmawati Dukung Perluasan Program RISE untuk Perkuat Sanitasi Berkelanjutan di Sulsel' (Fatmawati Supports Expansion of RISE Program to Strengthen Sustainable Sanitation in South Sulawesi)
Ramirez, D., Prescott, M., Burge, K., Wong, T., Wright, A., Leersnyder, A., Darlison, E., Breen, P., Spasojevic, D., Josey, B., Wolff, E., Agha Ali Mesgar, M., Tinios, D., French, M., Davis, B., El-Sioufi, M., Anim, D., Wright, A., McEvoy, A., Tran, M., Mulcair, S., Latief, I., Awaluddin, F., Marzaman, L., Putri, I., Ilhamsyah, N., Hidayat, A., Afif Fikriaraz, M., Faisol, M., Saifuddaolah, M. & Shaffira, A.
22/06/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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WRI ROSS CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES: 'Fixing Flooding and Sanitation in Makassar’s Informal Settlements'
Ramirez, D., Burge, K., Wong, T., Prescott, M., Wright, A., Leersnyder, A., Darlison, E., Breen, P., Spasojevic, D., Josey, B., Wolff, E., Agha Ali Mesgar, M., Tinios, D., French, M., Davis, B., El-Sioufi, M., Anim, D., Wright, A., McEvoy, A., Tran, M., Mulcair, S., Latief, I., Awaluddin, F., Marzaman, L., Putri, I., Ilhamsyah, N., Hidayat, A., Afif Fikriaraz, M., Faisol, M., Saifuddaolah, M. & Shaffira, A.
7/03/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
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ANTARA NEWS: 'Makassar is among the world's top five cities for environmental health programs'
Ramirez, D., Burge, K., Wong, T., Prescott, M., Wright, A., Leersnyder, A., Darlison, E., Breen, P., Spasojevic, D., Josey, B., Wolff, E., Agha Ali Mesgar, M., Tinios, D., French, M., Davis, B., El-Sioufi, M., Anim, D., Wright, A., McEvoy, A., Tran, M., Mulcair, S., Latief, I., Awaluddin, F., Marzaman, L., Putri, I., Ilhamsyah, N., Hidayat, A., Afif Fikriaraz, M., Faisol, M., Saifuddaolah, M. & Shaffira, A.
27/01/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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RADIO REPUBLIK INDONESIA: 'The RISE Project is Makassar's Mainstay in Addressing Sanitation and Flooding'
Ramirez, D., Burge, K., Wong, T., Prescott, M., Wright, A., Leersnyder, A., Darlison, E., Breen, P., Spasojevic, D., Josey, B., Wolff, E., Agha Ali Mesgar, M., Tinios, D., French, M., Davis, B., El-Sioufi, M., Anim, D., Wright, A., McEvoy, A., Tran, M., Mulcair, S., Latief, I., Awaluddin, F., Marzaman, L., Putri, I., Ilhamsyah, N., Hidayat, A., Afif Fikriaraz, M., Faisol, M., Saifuddaolah, M. & Shaffira, A.
14/01/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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SBS INDONESIAN: 'Improving environmental quality to improve quality of life in community'
Ramirez, D., Burge, K., Wong, T., Prescott, M., Wright, A., Leersnyder, A., Darlison, E., Breen, P., Spasojevic, D., Josey, B., Wolff, E., Agha Ali Mesgar, M., Tinios, D., French, M., Davis, B., El-Sioufi, M., Anim, D., Wright, A., McEvoy, A., Tran, M., Mulcair, S., Latief, I., Awaluddin, F., Marzaman, L., Putri, I., Ilhamsyah, N., Hidayat, A., Afif Fikriaraz, M., Faisol, M., Saifuddaolah, M. & Shaffira, A.
22/07/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature