Resources

If you’d like to know more about urban greening, there are a lot of resources out there! This is a selection of links that you may find interesting in themselves, and as starting points for further investigation.

• Greening the West publications

  • Greening the West – a regional approach: strategic plan The strategic plan for actions under Greening the West
  • Greening the West 1 Million Trees Project: frequently asked questions All you need to know about the 1 Million Trees Project
  • Urban greening for a healthier west Executive summary of Greening the West’s strategic plan

• Other publications of interest

  • Arboriculture Australia Conference papers Presentations from the 2016 Arboriculture Australia conference are available to download.
  • Australia's Health 2014 Most recent of these reports by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on highly topical health issues for Australia. A core driver for Greening the West is improving community health through provision of quality green spaces.
  • Creating places for people: an urban design protocol for Australian cities The protocol is the result of two years of collaboration between peak community and industry organisations and governments of all levels.
  • Growing Green Guide: A guide to green roofs, walls and facades in Melbourne and Victoria The Growing Green Guide for Melbourne project has investigated the potential to transform Melbourne’s roofs, walls and facades into vegetated, leafy habitats.
  • Healthy spaces & places: a national guide to designing places for healthy living A national guide for planning, designing and creating sustainable communities that encourage healthy living.
  • How to grow an urban forest: a ten step guide to help councils save money, time and share practical knowledge Working with the City of Melbourne and a number of of other local governments 202020Vision have provided this information as a free activity-based workbook.
  • Inquiry into Environmental Design and Public Health in Victoria – final report This report explores the compelling evidence linking public health challenges to the planning and design of our urban environments.
  • Loci Melbourne’s Urban Forest Evidence Base Prepared by Loci Melbourne with the support of the Green Infrastructure Research Group, University of Melbourne, Urban Forest Consulting, and the City of Maribyrnong.
  • Maribyrnong River Master Plan 2011 Prepared for the City of Moonee Valley, the master plan provides a long-term, grand vision for future improvements to the section of the river between the Afton Street footbridge and Maribyrnong Road.
  • Where are all the trees? An analysis of tree canopy cover in urban Australia Tree canopy cover is a key measure of green space. This resource is a summary of the study that created Australia’s first national baseline measurement of tree canopy cover in urban areas.

• Research on benefits of urban greening

  • Beyond Blue 2010, Beyond Blue to Green: The Health Benefits of Contact with Nature in a Park Context – Literature Review Range of psychological benefits for people who visit green open spaces
  • Butterworth 2011, A Regional Health and Wellbeing Implementation Strategy for Melbourne’s North and West Metropolitan Region: Harnessing the capability of the Regional Management Forum Low density housing and associated car dependence, vast distances between home and work, and poor access to green space linked to behaviour patterns that contribute to poor physical and mental health.
  • Ellaway et al. 2005, Graffiti, greenery, and obesity in adults: secondary analysis of European cross sectional survey People with greatest access to green space were 37 per cent less likely to be overweight or obese than those with least access; and more than three times as likely to frequently engage in physical activity.
  • Francis et al. 2012, Quality or quantity? Exploring the relationship between Public Open Space attributes and mental health in Perth, Western Australia Those living near moderate- or high-quality public open space were twice as likely to report low psychological distress as people in neighbourhoods containing only low-quality public open space.
  • Hall 2007, Where have all the gardens gone? An investigation into the disappearance of backyards in the newer Australian suburb Problems associated with disappearance or minimisation of private green open space
  • NYC Environmental Protection 2010, NYC Green Infrastructure Plan New York City calculated the cost of using a multitude of rainwater tanks, street trees, porous pavements, swales and raingardens is $2.5 billion less than the cost of traditional infrastructure solutions.
  • Roache et al. 2011, A Health Planning Tool Identifying Areas of Need and Disadvantage for Stormwater Harvesting Plans Green environments with attractive, accessible open space encourage greater levels of physical activity among residents.
  • Ulrich 1984, View through a window may influence recovery from surgery Restorative influence of a green view on the recovery of postoperative patients.
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency 2008, Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies Cooling benefits of urban greening
  • Wachter & Gillen 2006, Public Investment Strategies: How They Matter for Neighborhoods in Philadelphia Investments in street trees in Philadelphia saw the prices of adjacent houses rise 9 per cent.
  • Wolf 2003, Public response to the urban forest in inner-city business districts Consumers willing to pay 12 per cent more in retail precincts with more street tree shading.