1. INTRODUCTION

More than 75% of the population of Australia lives in major cities and is one of the most Urbanized countries in the world. The trend has moved towards people living in cities since around a century. The environment around us and urban ecosystems are a part of the community and affect the health well-being and economic sustainability. A rise in urbanization leads to ecological decline and threatens the environment and in turn the community. (Davies, Corkery, Nipperess, 2017)

There is a continuous growth in the urban population, leading to a growth in the rate of development. There are three major districts in NSW’s that are growing vertically- Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. The growth is taking place through infill development, high density towers and with expansions at the urban edge with new subdivisions. Sydney is expecting to accommodate 1.6 million people by 2034. Cities are highly modified environments and represent a coupled human and natural system, and ecological impacts, such as increase in urban heat, reduction in Biodiversity in cities, infections in natural water systems and deterioration of the health and well-being of the citizens in the city. It is thus necessary to learn to deal with these impacts and reduce their effects on the urban environments and learn and deal with Urban Ecology. (Davies, Corkery, Nipperess, 2017)

Urban Ecology

Urban Ecology ‘Integrates the theory and methods of both natural and social sciences to study the patterns and processes of urban ecosystems’ (Grimm et al., 2008a, p. 756). Urban ecosystems are a combination of natural, built and socioeconomic systems. They are conceptual and physical spaces for dynamic interactions between these different systems.. “Urban ecosystems are places where people live in high densities, or where built infrastructure covers much of the land” (Pickett et al., 2001). Urban ecology is is an understanding of how dense areas affect and influence sparsely dense areas. (Pickett et al., 2001). McPhearsons defines Urban ecology as a multidisciplinary field that provides many tools for advancing the potential of sustainability and resilience in cities (2016). There are different conceptual ways in which urban ecology can be approached and they reflect numerous overlapping ways in which it can be understood (McPhearson et al., 2016). Thus, Urban ecology is tough to define. Urban ecology focuses on design of the surrounding environment and amenities for people in urban areas, and on reducing the impacts of the environment on urban regions when related to planning and urban design (Pickett et al., 2011). The term urban ecology does not have a global consensus (Pickett et al., 2008; Wu, 2014; McPhearson et al., 2016).

Definitions include: ‘the scientific study of the processes determining the abundance and distribution of organisms, of the interactions between organisms, of the interactions between organisms and the environment, and of the flows of energy and materials through ecosystems … within urban systems’ (Gaston, 2010); the ‘investigation of living organisms in relation to their environment in towns and cities’ (Sukopp, 2008, p. 373); and ‘the relationship between the spatial pattern of urbanization and ecological processes’ (Luck & Wu, 2002).

It is necessary to understand urban ecology and link the knowledge with urban planning, policy and decisions regarding management to benefit all species, including humans in urban areas (Parris, 2016).

There is a growing interest in Australia as well as world wide for the greening of cities to promote urban biodiversity and ecosystem services. Quite a few green cities focus on amenities, and aesthetically pleasing landscapes as compared to ecologically sensitive functions. Through the integration of nature in cities, residents can be provided with ecosystem services that help with climate control locally, reduce pollution, pest control, pollination and an overall improvement in their health and well being. (Tzoulas et al., 2007; Taylor & Hochuli, 2015) (Davies, Corkery, Nipperess, 2017)

This report aims to address and enhance urban ecology outcomes of the CamperdownUltimo Collaboration area which is an innovation precinct. The report studies the strategic planning context of the precinct as a whole. A smaller site within the precinct is chosen to develop a action plan that will address an ecological themes to enhance the precincts ecological and sustainability performance. Within this report the following theme is addressed.

Urban Heat Island Effect

“Urban heat island effect” occurs when Natural areas in cities are replaced with grey areas such as pavements, buildings, and other hard surfaces that can absorb heat. This has a side effect on increase in energy costs (air conditioning) and air pollution levels as well as illnesses related to heat that can lead to mortality (United States Environmental Action Plan 2021).

Due to heat island effect urban areas experience higher temperatures than areas surrounding it. Hard surfaces such as buildings and roads absorb the suns heat and re-emit it more as compared to natural landscapes like meadows, forests, and water bodies. Areas where there is a higher concentration of structures with few spaces of greenery leads to heat islands with higher temperatures. During the day temperatures in urban areas are higher by 1-7°F while in the night-time they are 2-5°F higher (United States Environmental Action Plan 2021).

Climate change is creating a risk for the well-being of the society, environment, economy and infrastructure, there is a need to be resilient and adapt to the changing climate. Climate change needs to be treated as an emergency worldwide (City of Sydney 2020). The landscape of Sydney has changed a great deal since the time of the Gadigal of the Eora Nation cared for and were the only occupants of the land. They sustained these lands. Now the land is occupied by industrial, commercial and residential land use which has been the cause for reduction and modification in the number of natural features, vegetation and water bodies (City of Sydney 2020).

Sydney is predicted to experience hotter days with an increase of 2.1°C by 2070. The hottest days will become hotter and last longer. Due to this there is bound to be an increase in bush fire risk that will contribute to air pollution, rise in sea level. The city will also continue to experience variable rainfall with wet and dry spells. Long term management is required to manage these trends and plan for them (City of Sydney 2020). There is a critical need to protect and increase green cover to restore biodiversity, and let species thrive in their habitat. Increase in green cover also helps with improving air and water quality, reduce heat and improve health and well being of communities. It adds to the statement the city makes, and overall makes the city look appealing and welcoming.

There are many examples across Australia of local governments implementing strategies aimed at increasing the uptake of green infrastructure and incorporating urban ecology into planning and management, such as through urban forest, open space, and biodiversity strategies. Capital city councils across Australia, including the City of Sydney.