The temperature of some of our cities, such as Melbourne, can be up to four degrees warmer than surrounding areas, but adequate green infrastructure may help reduce those temperatures.
A team of University of Melbourne and Monash University researchers is trying to establish how green infrastructure can interact with urban design to reduce temperatures in cities.
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The environmental benefits of green roofs have now been well documented, and include storm water retention, improved water quality and provision of a recycled water supply, evaporative cooling from plants, biofiltration of airborne pollutants, and increased carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange through photosynthesis.
Current research in Adelaide involves monitoring thermal performance, water quality and useage, and plant performance characteristics of extensive and intensive green roof beds on the 22nd level rooftop of ANZ House in Adelaide. Green roofs can minimise rising temperatures and the UHI in Australian cities, which would have a dramatic impact on public health, given that heat waves are now recognised as the nation's major natural disaster, ahead of bushfires and floods.
Graeme Hopkins and Christine Goodwin report
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An international search is on for a masterplanning team for Barangaroo’s 5.2 hectare central precinct. Barangaroo is a 22 hectare former container port on the western edge of Sydney’s downtown district. The Barangaroo Delivery Authority (BDA) is searching for the world’s best in urban planning, urban design and architecture professions. Add article summary here>
GREEN ROOFS AUSTRALASIA hosts the 2012 Annual Conference with the support of Melbourne City Council, University of Melbourne and Canopy. Add article summary here>
CoS have released a new Green Roof Strategy to promote the incorporation of green infrastructure into city planning.
Energy could be saved by creating green roofs and walls covered with plant life such as grass, moss or creepers. Scientists have found green surfaces can reduce the need for air conditioning on hot days by causing local temperatures to drop.
Research was carried out by Eleftheria Alexandri and Phil Jones at the Welsh School of Architecture in the UK. They used computer models to find out how temperatures can vary when buildings are covered in greenery.