The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) is calling for the development of a national green infrastructure strategy to help assist decision makers at all levels of government and in the private sector.
According to the organisation, the proposed strategy acknowledges that nature operates as an enabler of more effective systems, providing important ecosystem benefit to cities and regional and rural communities.
It is also calling on the Federal Government to provide leadership through the Department of Infrastructure to bring together stakeholders, state and local governments, industry bodies and community representatives to develop a strategy.
AILA President Shaun Walsh said a national green infrastructure strategy will aid decision makers in leveraging the benefits of incorporating biological greening strategies into the design, construction and management of major infrastructure assets.
“The strategy will recognise the economic and social value of protecting and enhancing high value urban landscapes for water management, fresh food production, biodiversity conservation and healthy active living” Mr. Walsh said.
The AILA said the deployment of a national green infrastructure strategy will also combat the impact of heatwaves across cities through urban cooling policies, while urban open spaces will reduce the incidence of peak load demand and further contribute to reducing health risks for vulnerable members of the community.
AILA has commenced developing a green infrastructure position statement, which will be released in the first quarter of 2019, to assist informing a national approach.
Related stories:
- Printed solar cells bring new possibilities for energy generation in infrastructure
- Sydney turns on $8M stormwater recycling infrastructure
- New sustainability targets for Canberra’s urban infrastructure