Fieldwork Report

Urban greening definition

the integration of green space/vegetation into city environments to create more sustainable, liveable, cooler environments, improving ecological, social, economic outcomes

Urban greening strategy, green space

planting more trees/shrubs to provide shade, reduce urban heat, increase air quality, support biodiversity

Urban greening strategy, water

Water sensitive design, integrate water cycle into built environments, use permeable surfaces to allow water to flow through into ground, preventing surface runoff, reduce heat island effect

Urban greening strategy, materials

reduce dark coloured pavements/concrete which absorb heat

Environmental Quality Assessment Indicators (list)

amount of vegetation/green space, proportion native species, air quality, noise levels, shade/cooling features, wildlife habitat features, waste management

What EQA does?

evaluates effectiveness of each location’s management strategies, compares those in the CBD to the RBG.

Air quality index (strengths)

provided quantitative data to support EQA scores

Noise in decibels (strengths)

provided quantitative data to support EQA scores

Taking photographs (strengths)

visual evidence of good/poor management strategies

Fieldwork sketches (strengths)

assist in capturing most valuable and relevant features at leach location

Causes of urban heat island (material)

large areas of dark asphalt/concrete, absorb head

Causes of urban heat island (green space)

limited vegetation and tree canopy, reduced cooling features

Causes of urban heat island (surface)

use of non-permeable surfaces, increase heat retention

Causes of urban heat island (waste)

waste heat such as traffic, heating/cooling

Solutions to urban heat island (green)

Increase urban greening through green roofs, walls, vertical gardens

Solutions to urban heat island (surface)

use permeable paving surfaces, allowing water to soak into ground

Solutions to urban heat island (vegetation)

Use native vegetation suited to environment location

Solutions to urban heat island (water)

Water sensitive urban design, stormwater harvesting