L14. Ensure that ecology and maintenance specialists are involved in design processes
Fostering collaboration for biodiverse public realm design and maintenance
Different disciplines, including designers, horticulturalists, maintenance and biodiversity management experts, are involved in different aspects and phases of a project and often have limited interaction. As a result, issues arise where plant species selection may not be appropriate for the region or cannot be maintained effectively. Therefore, it is important for public realm projects to include a biodiversity focus, given that species selection is critical and standard maintenance regimes are not always suitable, and therefore requires careful consideration of operational costs.
There can be differences between industry practice and academia, which may reinforce separations and silos that make biodiverse greening difficult to achieve. However, it is critical to bridge these gaps and ensure that design and maintenance are working closely and respectfull if we seek for a biodiverse public realm.
Case Study Woody Meadow Pilot Project, City of Melbourne
These pilot plantings conducted in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, the University of Sheffield, the City of Melbourne and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, investigated the potential to use Australian shrubs in low maintenance landscapes. Woody Meadows are novel low-cost and resilient approach to urban greening, using natural shrublands as templates to create beautiful, diverse plantings of Australian shrubs which are maintained through coppicing. The Pilot Woody Meadow plantings received positive feedback from the community and councils, government agencies and developers are embracing this idea, with over 6,000 square metres of Woody Meadows currently established around Australia.
Designing and managing biodiverse streetscapes: key lessons from the City of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne and University of Melbourne collaborated to develop a suite of understorey plant species that can increase streetscape biodiversity. Criterion was developed from the Urban Nature Planting Guide to guide the design and creation of streetscape plantings within the City of Melbourne. Further, the process to develop this project enabled the discovery of key lessons, including the importance of soil preparation and weed management prior to planting and the development of a clear, ecologically sensitive management plan. This was made possible by incorporating knowledge from landscape maintenance staff, particularly those with horticultural knowledge and experience working with indigenous and native plant species.