Scoping current challenges and best-practice examples of cities' biodiversity strategies

Scoping current challenges and best-practice examples related to the effective delivery of biodiverse and multi-functional green spaces in cities

Summary

Biodiversity and ecosystem services are critical for sustainable, healthy and resilient environments that support people and nature. In cities, the greatest opportunities for securing these critical elements are in the network of urban green spaces (UGS).

Previous research revealed unequal distribution of UGS in some of Australia’s most populous cities, potentially resulting in lower-income communities having less access to the ecosystem and health benefits. Redressing this requires effective strategic planning that is reflected and reinforced by statutory planning and strategies which deliver synergistic outcomes. This research project aims to build the foundations for redressing this issue.

Aims and Activities

This research aims to initiate conversations with key future collaborators and funding agencies by conducting a preliminary investigation to:

1) Identify existing challenges and barriers to a more coordinated and synergistic approach,

2) Identify and document current examples of best practice, and

3) Based on outcomes from stages one and two, undertake spatial analysis of green space and planning provisions to build a preliminary evidence base and inform future research priorities.

Project team

Dr Amy Hahs, Senior Lecturer in Urban Horticulture, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences

Dr Judy Bush, Lecturer, Melbourne School of Design

Dr Jinlong Liu, recent PhD graduate (December 2018) from Melbourne School of Design

Dr Suzanne Mavoa, NHMRC Early Career Fellow, School of Population and Global Health