Leafy City Program

Design Feature

Type of project

Local Government Initiative

State

Western Australia

Location

Urban

The City of Joondalup has developed a Leafy City Program with its main focus area on suburban streetscapes. It was initiated in 2015/16 with the aim to increase the canopy cover of its suburbs through street tree planting to mitigate the environmental impact of climate change and rapid urban growth.

Creating resilient, cool and inviting green urban spaces

Street trees are an important natural asset which helps maintain livable urban environments and provide a wide range of environmental, aesthetic, economic and social benefits to the community. Increasing canopy cover throughout the City will create cooler, inviting green urban spaces that will improve the comfort of pedestrian movement and reduce the ‘urban heat island’ effect generated by existing hardstand surfaces.

An independent arborist was engaged to investigate the existing site conditions such as soil and weather conditions, infrastructure and services, water availability and existing trees in the area to inform tree species selection for the suburb.
These investigations and the appropriately selected tree species for the suburb will ensure the healthy development and longevity of the City’s leafy canopy.

The Program focuses on tree planting within the City’s suburban streetscapes, including:

Detailed mapping and data capture of existing vegetation to identify focus areas and assist with project prioritization.
Investigation and establishment of supporting horticultural practices and processes for species selection and soil modification to ensure healthy development and longevity of the City's leafy canopy.
Planting of verge trees to selected locations over the life of the project.
Development of community engagement protocols and education material for distribution.

Project team

City of Joondalup

Project Cost

The Leafy City Program forms part of the City’s Capital Works Program with funding allocated from 2015/16 through to 2021/22. Funding of $500,000 has been allocated per financial year for the planting and establishment of approximately 1,000 trees per year.

Health Value

Provides the community with cleaner, safer and more enjoyable walking environments that encourage, and support increased physical activity and active travel.
May assist in reducing health costs associated with sedentary behaviour and obesity.
May improve mental health and wellbeing.

Economic value

The project provides economic value by enhancing the aesthetic nature of the streetscape and suburban amenities which aid in increasing property value in the surrounding area.
Major economic benefits come through shading buildings in summer that reduce the need for air conditioning that in turn cut energy costs.
Canopy cover improves the lifespan of certain assets by shading from harmful UV rays.

Environmental Value

The environmental benefits of planting trees in the suburban streetscape include:
Reducing ambient air temperature
Cleaning air by absorbing polluting gases
Improving visual street amenity
Creating safer walking environments
Reducing cooling energy consumption costs
Saving water through reduced evaporation rates
Provides food and habitat for wildlife
Assists with traffic calming and could potentially reduce traffic flow

Social value

Responding to the local climate helps to generate a sense of place, which encourages the community to engage with their surrounds.
May improve mental health and wellbeing.
May improve community connections and increased community safety as more people are out on the streets walking.

Use value

By increasing canopy cover throughout the City, it will create cooler, inviting green urban spaces that will improve the comfort of pedestrian movement and reduce the ‘urban heat island’ effect generated by existing hardstand surfaces.

References

City of Joondalup
202020 20% More Green Spaces in Urban Areas By 2020. How To Grow An Urban Forest, A ten- step guide to help councils save money, time and share practical knowledge. State Government Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

Stay informed. Sign up to our newsletter.

I agree that I have read and I accept the Heart Foundation's Privacy Statement.