L19. Seek opportunities to enhance native vegetation diversity and structure in urban landscapes
Road space, car parks and slip lanes can become spaces for urban biodiversity
Unused space in cities can be converted into new public open and green space, enhancing user experience within the public realm. Council policies and strategies can become the first step to providing this change, and commitment to urban biodiversity can provide the push for processes that enable greener city transformation.
Interventions can be implemented incrementally and at a small scale, providing the flexibility for councils and organisations to green the public realm at a small cost
Case Study Grey to Green, City of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne’s Grey to Green program repurposed sites that are owned or managed by Council, including surplus road space, car parks, slip lanes and maintenance depots. Carparking was removed, streets were closed, adjacent property was acquired and linear street parks were converted into new pedestrian and green space.
The Grey to Green program is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, and can be replicated in any city. The versatility of the program enables it to be undertaken in small or large scales, involving local communities to enhance their city.
The program is research focused and design led, ensuring that the outcomes resulting from the program are documented, and benefits of access to public open and green space, exposure to natural ecosystems and biodiversity are realised. Further, impacts to Urban Heat Island Effect, flooding and biodiversity loss can be realised and measured, and contribute to strategic outcomes outlined by council.
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