A major urban greening initiative across six local councils has dramatically reshaped western Melbourne’s tree cover, making the area more liveable and cooler, this RMIT University study has found.

Metropolitan planning and development of Australia’s cities has been strongly influenced by what could be termed the “North American model” of low-density, car-dependent suburban development on greenfield master-planned housing estates. But this is all set to change.

This audit assessed whether state planning is meeting the needs of the rapidly growing population for birthing, maternal and child health, funded kindergarten services, and related infrastructure, in greenfield growth areas and established suburbs.

This report examined the impact of religious visibility on social cohesion in two case-study locations in Melbourne.

Jason Byrne looks at the possibility that living in cities might be associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety.