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Our “Assessing the economic
urban forest.
value of green infrastructure” research in
We understand the success of the
partnership with Victoria University, State
target delivery also requires long term
and other local governments will enable
financial commitment which usually is
us to develop an innovative framework to
challenging. Since 2010, we have secured
assess the true economic value of green
investment of $40 million from the
infrastructure, including the value of
Council and in partnerships with the State
ecosystem service and health benefits that
and the Federal government.
have been traditionally neglected.
Besides the on-going dedicated
Our Elm Genetic Diversity Program
budget from the Council, we have
was the first in Australian cities to engage
also progressed in a planning scheme
citizen foresters in collecting local
amendment introducing the “open space
scientific data for our future landscape
contribution framework” ensuring private
management.
sector developments financially contribute
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to green infrastructure provision. We understand the need for scientific
Highlight
proof to drive the public and political agenda towards long term investment
Our innovative aspect is that we
on green infrastructure. Hence, we are
are using an ecosystem based climate
currently working with the Victoria
adaptation approach using green
University on developing an economic
infrastructure to cool our city by 4°C
framework to assess the economic
degrees by 2040.
value of our green infrastructure and its
Despite the fact that no other city in
ecosystem and social benefits.
the world has ever set up such ambitious target, we are confident this can be achieved by doubling tree canopy from 20% to 40% and maintaining the health and resilience of our urban forest.
Experience and Inspiration 1. Using scientific, rational top-
We take a holistic approach to ensure
level design and integrating
successful delivery of this target is worth
green infrastructure into urban
sharing with fellow cities and regions. In
construction
addition, a series of measures have been
T h e s u c c e s s o f M e l b o u r n e ’s
taken to improve citizens’ awareness of
innovation is closely related to its