Thriving Neighbourhoods 2011 Thriving Neighbourhoods 2011 ConferenceConference

Urban density – panacea or placeboUrban density – panacea or placebo

Tony ArnelTony ArnelBuilding and Plumbing Industry Commissioner Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner

25 October 201125 October 2011

Our citiesOur cities

Cities generate Cities generate 1/31/3rdrd of total greenhouse gas of total greenhouse gas

emissionsemissions

Ecological impactEcological impact

Environmental footprint of Environmental footprint of

urban Australia = urban Australia = 7 7 ha/personha/person

Average worldwide = Average worldwide = 2.2 2.2 ha/personha/person

There is a better wayThere is a better way

Good urban design & architectureGood urban design & architectureNew focus is neighbourhoods, New focus is neighbourhoods,

precincts & communitiesprecincts & communities

IEQ delivers community benefitsIEQ delivers community benefits

Urban densityUrban density Relative to locationRelative to location

800,000800,000 pple in City of Melb daily pple in City of Melb daily

((97,0097,0000 residents) residents)

7070% live in high rise% live in high rise

How green is our How green is our high rise?high rise?

Limited research shows: Limited research shows:

High rise apartments High rise apartments have a greater carbon have a greater carbon footprintfootprint

City of Melbourne City of Melbourne initiativesinitiatives

1200 Buildings 1200 Buildings (commercial)(commercial)

Sustainable Living in the Sustainable Living in the City City

Hi-RESHi-RES

A future built on A future built on solid datasolid data

Lessons from green commercial Lessons from green commercial buildingsbuildings

More researchMore research

Urban design imperativesUrban design imperatives

Role of local councilsRole of local councils

Local government uniquely placedLocal government uniquely placed

Sustainability a key agenda itemSustainability a key agenda item

GBCA Government Guide to Green GBCA Government Guide to Green Star - CommunitiesStar - Communities

The bottom line is …The bottom line is …EducationEducationBalanceBalance - Urbanisation- Urbanisation - Density- Density - Affordability- Affordability - Sustainability- Sustainability

Thank youThank you

Tony ArnelTony ArnelBuilding and Plumbing Industry Commissioner Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner

Chair, Green Building Council of AustraliaChair, Green Building Council of AustraliaChair, World Green Building CouncilChair, World Green Building Council