Trees, parks, gardens and reserves are a critical element of urban infrastructure – as important to how our city functions as our roads or public transport. Our urban forest contributes economically and environmentally to our city and provides many benefits to the health and wellbeing of our community.
Protecting and expanding urban forests is central to ensuring our city is resilient to the impacts of climate change and remains a healthy and enjoyable place for people to live and work.
Now is the time to design and plant the forest of the future in a way that respects Melbourne’s unique character, responds to climate change and growth, and underpins the health, liveability and wellbeing of the city and its inhabitants.
Melbourne’s Urban Forest is comprised of:
- 60,000 Council trees
- 20,000 private trees
- 250 species
- 35 per cent of trees population comprises the English Elm (12 per cent), the London Plane (12 per cent) and the River Red Gum (11 per cent)
Urban heat island effect
Our city is on average three degrees warmer than elsewhere in Greater Melbourne during summer months.
The urban heat island effect is a major contributor for these warmer temperatures. It occurs when densely built urban areas become warmer than nearby suburban or rural areas, particularly after dark.
In periods of prolonged heat, the urban heat island effect increases pressure on the city. People use air-conditioners more, which generate waste heat, put pressure on the grid and increase greenhouse gas emissions.
The City of Melbourne has mapped the municipality using aerial thermal images to identify the areas of high heat and the “hot spots” that absorb excess heat across the City.
We know that our trees and vegetation keep city temperatures down, day and night, mitigating the urban heat island effect. Research shows that increasing canopy cover can bring temperatures down by up to 2 -4 degrees in the summer. Lower ground temperatures also reduce incidences of heat stress, a major health concern in inner city areas.
Further Information