To green the city, we are expanding our parks and gardens and planting more trees. We are also using green roofs, walls and facades to increase the amount of vegetation in the city.
Green infrastructure includes both natural and designed greening – from parks and street trees to green roofs, rain gardens and green laneways.
As Melbourne becomes a more dense and populated city, green roofs, walls and facades can help support greening where space is tight. Green infrastructure can be included on new buildings or retrofitted onto existing buildings. Vertical greening on walls and facades doesn’t necessarily require ground level space and can provide the benefits where there is limited room.
More than just being beautiful, green roofs, walls and facades are critical urban infrastructure. They provide clean air and increase our resilience to the impacts of climate change by cooling our city and reducing the risks of flooding. They also increase our city’s biodiversity by attracting birds and insects.
Urban greening also supports Melbourne’s economy by providing natural spaces for residents, visitors and workers. These spaces help boost local business traffic and can improve the health and wellbeing of people in the city.
City of Melbourne is working on a range of initiatives and programs to support and encourage greening on buildings across the city.