4°C Cooler – Using Green Infrastructure to Build a Climate Resilient and Prosperous Melbourne
CROSS-CUTTING SECTORS
Urban planning, Climate, Resilience
ORGANISATION(S)
The City of Melbourne
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In response to the extremely hot weather experienced in Melbourne over several years, the City of Melbourne have developed an Urban Forest Strategy and Open Space Strategy. The aim is to green the city and ultimately reduce the summertime temperatures in Melbourne by 4°C by 2040. The strategies are to double the green canopy over the city up to 40%, increase the network of green spaces and to expand stormwater harvesting to provide irrigation at times of drought. So far $40 million has been invested and since 2010, 15,000 trees have been planted, streets retrofitted for increased permeability and a new stormwater harvesting system contributes to 25% of water required for landscape irrigation. Click here for more information.
RELEVANCE TO THE CALL TO ACTION ON SUSTAINABLE URBANISATION ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH
These examples have been chosen because of their relevance to the Call to Action, as shown by the direct quotes provided below. To view the Call to Action click here.
- “Cities are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and where the impacts of climate change are experienced acutely.”
- “Cities and human settlements are responsible for ensuring delivery of essential services including water, sanitation, healthcare, education, public transport, and housing, upon which their citizens depend.”
- “Sustainable urbanisation requires a commitment to good governance, integrated planning, effective service delivery together with fiscal and political empowerment.”
THIS EXAMPLE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY
UN-Habitat: https://unhabitat.org/