This study examines access to and quality of public open space and young children’s mental health across eight Australian capital cities using a unique population linked dataset, the Australian Early Development Census—Built Environment.

‘Temporary’ and ‘tactical’ (T/T) urbanism is a major recent global movement in urban planning and design. This paper discusses the distinctive ways T/T urbanism is defined and enacted in the Australian context, drawing upon a database of ninety projects identified in six cities, an analysis...

Due to the fragility of forest ecosystems, developing forest recreational resources must consider sustainable ecological, economic, and social development, and reduce impacts from recreational activities. Diverse forests with different biodiversity could promote forest ecosystem services and resistance to the pressure of tourism development. Under such...

When we think about public spaces, we often imagine large open areas such as squares and parks. The humble footpath is overlooked, although it is an equally if not more important public space for urban social life. Every day, most people will at some point...

This is a practical toolkit for creating playspaces that are designed to be inclusive of everyone in the community. It was developed in consultation with advocacy and advisory groups representing over 50 stakeholders from local government, landscape architecture, disability advocates, industry representatives, parents and educators.

UN-Habitat’s Global Public Space Programme, launched in 2012, is now active in more than 30 cities across the world. The programme’s objective is to promote public spaces as a keystone for sustainable cities to ensure a good quality of life for all. This is done...

The need to understand the impact of urbanisation and changing land use on water and solute mass balances in the groundwater underlying urban areas has been increasingly recognised over the past 25 years. Groundwater resources are now included, for example, as part of integrated urban...

This Urban forest horizon scanning research aims to further the knowledge of the potential changes to species, resources and conditions facing future urban forests, through a horizon scanning exercise involving end-users and researchers from CAUL Hub and other institutions.

A design that showcases the potential of disused infrastructure in providing community open space with an integrated stormwater design. Greening the Pipeline is the transformation of a heritage listed Main Outfall Sewer reserve into a 27km linear park in Melbourne’s west. The project is delivered...

Delivery of sustainable irrigation using harvested stormwater and wicking bed technology to achieve green and resilient turf open space within the new Gladstone East Shores Precinct. The Gladstone East Shores Precinct is a major new recreational hub for the City of Gladstone located on the...

Restoration of the Small Creek concrete channel to a more natural waterway, co-designed with the community. Transformation of 1.6km of existing concrete channel into a natural waterway. The channel is located in a heavily urbanised catchment and works will take place over five years of...

The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) has developed a Water Sensitive Cities Transition Planning Process to provide strategic guidance for cities and towns wanting to accelerate their transition towards their vision of a water sensitive future. The Water Sensitive Cities Transition Planning...

This Discussion Paper proposes flood resilience initiatives for Norman Creek, Brisbane. It compiles ideas generated during a research synthesis workshop hosted by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) and Brisbane City Council on the 16th and 17th August 2016. The workshop participants...

The traditional use of water in our cities severely distorts the natural water cycle, consuming potable water for purposes such as toilet flushing and irrigation, whilst discharging excessive volumes of stormwater runoff and wastewater. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) offers a new approach to urban...

This guide is intended for community members who see an opportunity to create better streets, but may be struggling to get their neighbors on board or spur government officials into action.

As pressures of urban development and renewal impact the fabric of contemporary cities, parks and open space are increasingly under threat, which is compounded by the general lack of strategic open space planning at the state level. Simultaneously, as cities compete to attract global companies...

Unprecedented levels of urbanisation coupled with revolutions in transport, energy, and data technology offer new opportunities to reshape cities. Cities of the future need to be planned strategically to support environmental and social well-being as well as economic productivity. To do so, cities must encourage...

Shaping urbanization for children, a handbook on child-responsive urban planning, presents concepts, evidence and technical strategies to bring children to the foreground of urban planning. By focusing on children, this publication provides guidance on the central role that urban planning should play in achieving the...

Across the world, the role and functionality of urban water utilities has evolved over time, in response to urban challenges. The role of the urban water sector in each region has generally begun with water supply, and then been followed by sewerage, drainage, environmental protection...

NYC’s forested natural areas provide important benefits to the city including high-quality recreation, enhanced biodiversity, and improved air and water quality. The Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) have developed a 25-year Forest Management Framework...