the green infrastructure project
people plants places
people plants placesthe green infrastructure project
Green spaces are the connections that are critical to our wellbeing and quality of life
Green Infrastructure describes the network of natural landscapes assets which underpin the economic, socio-cultural and environmental functionality of our cities and towns – it is the green spaces and water systems which intersperse, connect and provide vital life support for humans and other species within our urban environments
(Australian Institute of Landscapes Architects)
the green infrastructure project
people plants placesthe green infrastructure project
Bringing together key stakeholders to integrate the creation of spaces that revitalise and protect our communities, The Green Infrastructure Project is about valuing the ‘green infrastructure’ as highly as the built space in planning, design and development.
The green spaces within and between our towns and cities need to be acknowledged as fundamental in the urban landscape, and no longer the leftover places between buildings and roads. Living, breathing and growing, these spaces underpin healthy communities, linking us all, in all that we do.
Investment in the green infrastructure of our towns and cities is an investment in our health, our wellbeing and our future.
The success of the Sustainable Landscapes Project – its achievements and collaborative approach – has led to an opportunity to step up, to think big and transform our urban environments. We are perfectly positioned to use our inventiveness and innovation and make our green infrastructure really matter.
Our responsibility is to the South Australian community, present and future, to integrate our thinking, our planning, our design and our energy. It is to make green infrastructure a vigorous and wholesome reality.
With your help.
Our vision is of South Australians living in healthy, resilient and beautiful landscapes that sustain and connect peop le with plants and places.
vision
people plants placesthe green infrastructure project
Green infrastructure can help us respond to challenges
of a changing climate by providing many ‘ecosystem
services’ such as shading and cooling, integrated water
management, food production, air quality improvement
and habitat for countless native species that live in
urban areas.
Plants and green spaces also provide essential social
and cultural benefits. They nurture and support us
as individuals and communities, providing places to
connect, exercise, relax and celebrate.
These spaces are the key threads in our social fabric that
connect communities and provide the contact with
nature that is so critical to our wellbeing.
Currently, design and planning of urban places is focussed
on the built environment. This includes not only our
buildings but the ‘grey’ infrastructure of roads and
engineered services that support human settlement.
Green infrastructure is too often an afterthought. This
needs to change if we are to create liveable, connected
and sustainable towns and cities – resilient to a warmer,
drier climate and changing urban form.
the challenge
Cities and towns are facing increasing pop ulation pressure, changing demographics and many environmental challenges, part icularly related to climate change, water and food security. Critical to the health of people and communities is a deep engagement with green places.
Innovation in design needs to go hand in hand with
creative ways of involving communities in planning and
managing landscapes in their local area.
Complex issues, multiple stakeholders and many levels
of policy and planning need to be coordinated to put
green infrastructure centre stage in the design and
planning of our towns and cities.
what we will achieveA vision for living urban landscapes where green
infrastucture is integral
Principles for green infrastructure that can be
embedded within diverse policies and plans
Promotion of the multiple benefits of green
infrastructure in urban settings and the most effective
approaches for their achievement
Places that demonstrate green infrastructure
principles
Strategic alliances to facilitate integration of
landscaping systems and green infrastructure
Policy guidance for integration of green infrastructure
Credible, engaging and innovative communication
products
Training and other capacity building initiatives for
key audiences
A recognition scheme to acknowledge and promote
persistence and brilliance
Original and effective ways of engaging
communities
people plants placesthe green infrastructure project
principles and values
operating principlesThe program will:
Operate across diverse public and private spaces, at different scales, in towns and cities across South Australia
Promote design and management of urban environments as whole systems, with a focus on suitability and sustainability
Promote design and management of landscapes to accommodate diverse needs and services
Demonstrate wise and sustainable use of resources, climate-appropriate plant selection and water sensitive urban design
Build on existing knowledge, research, programs and partnerships
Use processes that encourage sustained behavioural change
Maximize potential of new technologies for planning and community conversations
Be informed by evaluation, research and action learning
Provide a platform for collaboration and partnerships
Pursue innovation
our valuesWe know that:
Plants sustain life by providing ecological, social, cultural, health and economic services
‘Green infrastructure’ is the living infrastructure that supports the grey and built infrastructure and has equal value
Urban environments and the people who live in them are part of interdependent ecological systems
Collaboration is essential to good design and decision-making in a complex system
Behaviour change requires sustained intervention at many levels and a supportive social and policy environment
Key stakeholders and institutions hold a shared vision that recognises the value of green infrastructure
Community, industry and government are skilled and motivated to design, implement and maintain green infrastructure
Policies and plans facilitate the coordination and integration of building, infrastructure and landscapes
people plants placesthe green infrastructure project
industry associations /peak bodies Environment Non Government Organisations
Institute of Public Works and Engineering Australia
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
Urban Development Institute of Australia
Nursery and Garden Industry Australia
Landscape and garden designers
Planning Institute of Australia
Conservation Council of SA
Parks and Leisure Australia
community sectorIndividuals and households
Community and citizen groups
relevant plans30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide
Local Government Plans
State and Regional NRM Plans
Regional Action Plans for
Land Use
Integrated Water
Management Plans
Climate Change Adaptation Framework
for South Australia
SA Strategic Plan
Naturelinks
Greenways
education sectorTAFE/Training organisations
Universities
Schools
issues Street trees
Pocket parks and reserves
Water Sensitive Urban Design
Greenfields development
Urban densification
Transport Oriented
Developments (TODs)
Recreation spaces
Walking trails
Linear parks
Stormwater
Cycle ways
private sectorLandscape and garden designers
Developers
Builders
Retailers - plant and garden products
the landscape
government Local government councils
Sustainability and Climate Change
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Department of Planning and Local Government
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Department for Energy, Transport and Infrastructure
Department of Education and Children’s Services
Department of Primary Industries and Resources
Land Management Corporation
Integrated Design Commission
Commonwealth Government
Botanic Gardens of Adelaide
Department for Water
Department of Health
Regional NRM Boards
Zero Waste
SA Water
Education sector
Industry associations / Peak bodies
Private sector
Government
Community sector
IssuesRelevant plans
In a complex operating environment with multiple stakeholders, competing demands, challenging issues and numerous plans, the time has arrived to integrate and coordinate our efforts. We need an holistic approach.
people plants placesthe green infrastructure project
Sustainable Landscapes, hosted by DENR through
the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, has forged unique
collaborations between state and local government,
private sector, industry groups and communities. These
include the Land Management Corporation, Delfin Lend
Lease, Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources
Management Board, SA Water, Nursery and Garden
Industry, the Local Government Association, all three
South Australian universities and TAFE SA.
Sustainable Landscapes has had a significant influence
in major residential developments across Adelaide and
has reached out into the community through state-wide
native garden awards and events, regular presentations
to industry and community, displays at environment
and gardening expos, and demonstration landscapes.
The project has developed informative, practical and
inspiring written and on-line products and has become
a highly respected source of practical information about
the design, implementation and ongoing management
of urban landscapes.
The new vision for The Green Infrastructure Project will
be achieved by building on the successes of Sustainable
Landscapes, with the same collaborative, evidence-
based approach and a suite of tools that work to create
change in attitudes and behaviour and further support
the wellbeing of our communities.
building on success
For seven years, the Sustainable Landscapes project has defined, demonstrated and promoted urban landscapes that are bo th attractive and appropriate to South Australia’s climate, community and resource availability.
people plants placesthe green infrastructure project
Partnership in this flagship project offers a unique
opportunity to provide leadership in the research,
design, demonstration and communication of
innovative urban landscapes that make a significant
impact on the future health and wellbeing of South
Australian people and our environment.
benefits for partners:Being part of a coordinated and effective voice to
inform debate and decisions on green infrastructure
Direct input into project scope, targets and priorities
Alignment with industry leaders
Professional development opportunities
Access to highly credible technical advice
Access to communication products, including
co-branding opportunities
To achieve this vision for South Australia, funding partners are needed.
partner opportunities
be part of thisContact
Stephen Forbes
Director
Botanic Gardens of Adelaide
GPO Box 1047
Adelaide
South Australia 5001
Tel: 08 8222 9320
the green infrastructure project
people plants places
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Land Management Corporation
Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board
‘Nature matters to people. Big trees and small trees, glistening water, chirping birds, budding bushes, colourful flowers - these are important ingredients in a good life.’
Rachel Kaplan
‘Progress does not have to be patented to be worthwhile. Progress can also be measured by our interactions with nature and its preservation. Can we teach children to look at a flower and see all the things it represents: beauty, the health of an ecosystem, and the potential for healing?’
Richard Louv