Denser cities can offer many advantages, including better housing affordability, shorter commutes and more social interaction. But increased density can come at an environmental cost by reducing a city’s urban vegetation. So how can we strike a balance between density and greenery?
In partnership with CSIRO, CAUL-Hub researchers have developed a model that can help planners assess the impact of proposed developments on urban forest cover. In a new paper, researchers used the tool to predict the effect of increased housing densities on tree canopy cover in a prominent Perth suburb in 30 years’ time. It is hoped the model can help planners to deliver more sustainable designs and plan for ways to mitigate the loss of urban vegetation.