As part of the Integrated Research Projects (IRP2) portfolio this project will take this knowledge a step further to provide a credible estimate of the economic value of the cooling produced under different scenarios of WSUD adoption.
The E2Designlab team are collaborating with the CRCWSC and RMCG to apply the latest research and modelling capabilities for UHI effect to quantify the benefits of integrating blue-green infrastructure across urban spaces and built form.
Source: City of Melbourne Growing evidence is showing an effective method of delivering human thermal comfort is via introducing shade and moist soil environments (i.e.
Source: City of MelbourneLand surface temperature showing cooler areas around irrigated ovals and tree canopy on a day with a maximum temperature of 37 deg C. Source: CRC Water Sensitive Cities The role water sensitive urban design (WSUD) can take in achieving climate sensitive streets, neighbourhoods and cities. Explore Melbourne's Urban Forest . In 2012 Melbourne city council launched an ambitious project to double the tree canopy cover from 22% to 40% by 2040, by planting about 3,000 new trees every year. The effect can increase summertime peak energy demands, air conditioning costs, and heat-related illness and mortality. Outputs will be dollar value estimates of the UHI mitigation value produced under different greening and integrated water management settings.Interested in cooling your city and building heatwave resilience? Redesigning raingardens for city streets Background Extreme heat has a major impact on the health and wellbeing of the community and more broadly the productivity of the economy. The specific connection of WSUD ensures tree canopies are large, healthy and actively release water vapour via transpiration. Stormwater harvesting in Queen Victoria and Alexandra GardensSelf-guided walking tour – Stormwater Harvesting at Queen Victoria and Alexandra GardensWalking tour – Birrarung Marr Stormwater HarvestingAnimation: stormwater harvesting in Alexandra and Queen Victoria GardensAnimation: stormwater harvesting in Fitzroy Gardens Follow the links below to learn more or contact E2Designlab at: Thermal images taken in a January 2017 heatwave show the impact of urban heat islands in Melbourne. Water is essential for liveability in Melbourne, keeping our green spaces healthy and cooling the city.
This website was delivered in partnership The City of Kingston has developed an Urban Cooling Strategy that presents its vision for 'Creating a Cool Kingston' and is seeking community input. Australian heatwaves are getting hotter and more frequent, with the largest impacts occurring in cities due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect.The term UHI refers to how built up areas have a greater capacity to absorb, hold and emit the sun’s heat compared to rural areas. This absorption of energy can increase day and night time temperatures in cities by several degrees. This website was delivered in partnership irrigated vegetation). This suggests the UHI effect could be mitigated through the establishment of healthy tree canopy supported by water sensitive urban design (WSUD) approaches. Explore the Urban Water website to discover how we are creating a sustainable water system for the city. The Victorian Government is committed to investing in green infrastructure and will build a green roof on top of one Treasury Place.
A single tree is planted in the raingarden, rather than grasses. Our ‘Cooling the City’ experiment uses temperature sensors and the internet of things to plan a more liveable city in the face of extreme heat conditions.
Explore the Map Learn about the Issues Get Involved This will allow UHI mitigation to be used as a policy position or business case for greening cities and integrated water management policy changes. This website enables you to explore this dataset and some of the challenges facing Melbourne’s Urban Forest.
Former Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said in 2015 he did not support mandatory building rules to ensure that roof space was used to help green and cool the city. This involves the creation of thermally comfortable, resilient, attractive and sustainable outdoor urban environments by enhancing positive natural and man-made features through architecture, planning and landscape design.Growing evidence is showing an effective method of delivering human thermal comfort is via introducing shade and moist soil environments (i.e. This is consistent with the iconic style of Melbourne’s streets. The City of Melbourne maintains more than 70,000 trees. This suggests the UHI effect could be mitigated through the establishment of healthy tree canopy supported by water sensitive urban design (WSUD) approaches.
This challenge is driving a new form of urban planning called ‘climate sensitive urban design’. with the State Government of Victoria Source: CRC Water Sensitive Cities.
irrigated vegetation). Installing trees also helps us meet our target of increasing canopy cover to aid urban cooling.