Responding to the urban heat island: Optimising implementation of green infrastructure - A policy and institutional analysis

One important adaptation option for moderating the impact of urban heat (which also has multiple societal benefits and contributes to a broader urban liveability agenda), is to increase the cover of a range of vegetation types across the urban form; known collectively as the city's 'Green Infrastructure' (GI). This study - based on literature review, policy analysis, semi-structured interviews and actor mapping - sought to better understand some of the key barriers to, and opportunities for, an increased implementation of GI across the Melbourne conurbation as an important adaptation measure for combating urban heat stress. Based on the analysis of the institutional enablers of, and barriers to, increased implementation of GI, the report puts forward some considerations for Federal, State and Local government policies and programs.