EVSC30006 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Sea Breeze, Area Density, Urban Design
1 Jun 2018
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LECTURE 18: ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION USING
LANDSCAPES
• Structure of urban areas influences the type & value of ecosystem services provided
o Greater density suburbs provide less ecosystem services – measured by run off, C sequestration & air temp
o Result variable suggests the importance of urban design & green infrastructure
• Australia’s urban form: houses take up more of the more of land, less vegetation & more density – over time
• Debate whether sprawl with bigger gardens or protecting outskirt remnants is better for biodiversity outcomes
MITIGATING UHI WITH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
• Urban Heat Waves: major threat to human life, affect elderly & young – exacerbated by UHI
o Urban residents can experience sustained thermal stress – rural areas obtain relief at night
• Jan 2009: Melbourne 3 successive days above 43 degrees = 77% increase in number of deaths
• Summer extremes set to increase = greater heat related illness & death
• Preconditions of heat wave death: lack of mobility, pre-existing medical condition, live on top floor, temp around
building
• Urban planning has important role in primary prevention of human health measures
• Little guidance on how to implement green infrastructure & limited budgets within planning
Implementation
• Identify priority areas based on heat, vulnerability and human activity
o Vulnerability: age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, pre-existing medical condition
o Heat: daytime (high impervious, no shade, dry surfaces), night-time (dense streets, poor ventilation)
• Maximise cooling efficiency of existing green infrastructure – use WSUD to irrigate green space/trees
• Identify opportunities for green open space – replace road with vegetation, promote sea breeze range
• Develop hierarchy of street environments & strategically place to reduce surface heating
o Minimise daytime sun exposure of surfaces
• Design of street trees: diff canopy levels, species, use those with high transpiration & leaf area density
• Green Roofs design: low rise buildings, irrigation, white surface stones to increase albedo, best where street level
space is limited
• White Roofs: reflective paint for insulation & albedo
GRASSLANDS
• Nationally threatened ecosystem - vulnerable and need protecting
• Good design makes grasslands easier and cheaper to maintain
o Weed invasion reduced by buffer plantings, cues of care, planning for fire management
• Why use guidelines: tool for council staff, developers and architects, carry authority, provide information
• 7 principles for grassland design: start with the grasslands, collaborate, integrate and protect, design for
maintenance, communicate, let people in, provide cues for care
o Important to let people in: have to be experienced close up, access promotes positive engagement and
reduces negative perception
Document Summary
Mitigating uhi with green infrastructure: urban heat waves: major threat to human life, affect elderly & young exacerbated by uhi, urban residents can experience sustained thermal stress rural areas obtain relief at night. Jan 2009: melbourne 3 successive days above 43 degrees = 77% increase in number of deaths. Summer extremes set to increase = greater heat related illness & death. Preconditions of heat wave death: lack of mobility, pre-existing medical condition, live on top floor, temp around building: urban planning has important role in primary prevention of human health measures. Little guidance on how to implement green infrastructure & limited budgets within planning. 7 principles for grassland design: start with the grasslands, collaborate, integrate and protect, design for maintenance, communicate, let people in, provide cues for care.
