Greening Our Cities
Greening Our Cities
While we mourn the loss of beautiful older gardens as large houses, dual occupancies, and apartment blocks with minimal green space replace them, there is hope. We can mitigate these losses by rethinking urban design, restoring green spaces, and supporting local greening initiatives.
One such initiative was Vision 202020, launched in 2013 with the bold aim of adding 20% more green space by 2020. In 2019 it evolved into Greener Spaces Better Places (GSBP), now the world’s largest network of green space advocates with over 7,000 members spanning governments, industry, and community groups.
By the end of the project, GSBP had helped drive real change: 88% of Australia’s urban local government areas had adopted or were developing urban forest strategies—up from just 7% in 2013.
Why Greening Cities?
Green infrastructure—trees, parks, green walls, and soils—remains essential, especially as cities grapple with heatwaves, rising temperatures, and dense development. In Melbourne, for example, research shows that roughly 200,000 new trees are needed to offset canopy loss from 800,000 new homes over the coming years—highlighting how vital greening is to quality of life 1.
Increasing green space brings big benefits. Trees and other greenery help regulate temperature through shading, wind protection, and evapotranspiration, while also reducing glare and noise. These functions improve health by lowering heat-related illness, supporting mental wellbeing, and reconnecting children with nature.
Economic gains follow — from higher property values and reduced heating, cooling, and infrastructure costs, to lower stormwater management expenses as vegetation slows runoff and prevents erosion.
Just as importantly, green spaces absorb carbon dioxide and provide essential wildlife habitat.
Ongoing Efforts
According to the State of the Environment 2021, studies across 131 LGAs revealed that:
69% lost green cover between 2013 and 2020.
Yet, 62% managed to increase green cover between 2016 and 2020.
Local governments like Launceston (+9.5%), Sunshine Coast (+8.4%), and Sutherland Shire (+8.2%) led the way in expanding their urban forest ares.
Despite these wins, many urban areas are still facing significant challenges to grow or maintain green cover in the coming decade.
Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment (2025) reinforces the urgent need for urban greening, highlighting cities and outer suburbs as climate “watchpoints” where nature-based solutions like trees and green infrastructure are critical to reduce heat, flooding, and health risks.
What You Can Do as a Gardener
As development continues and green spaces shrink, it’s easy to feel discouraged. Yet gardeners can take many positive steps to counter the loss.
- Plant canopy trees where space allows, to provide shade, cooling, and wildlife habitat.
- Create green walls or roof gardens to add greenery even in small or built-up spaces.
- Swap hard surfaces for permeable or planted areas such as lawn alternatives, groundcovers, or grassed pavers.
- Grow a diversity of plants — native species, flowering shrubs, and groundcovers — to support pollinators and local biodiversity.
- Start a verge or community garden to reclaim underused public space and build local connections.
- Collect rainwater and mulch well to manage stormwater and reduce stress on the urban environment.
- Encourage others—friends, families, groups—to green up.
- Advocate locally—support council initiatives or push for planning changes.
1. The Guardian (2024, July 24). Up to 200,000 new trees needed in Melbourne to avoid affecting quality of life, research finds. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jul/24/up-to-200000-new-trees-needed-in-melbourne-to-avoid-affecting-quality-of-life-research-finds