The implications of climate change and the end of the fossil fuel era suggest that we are entering a period of major, transformative, change requiring the restructure of the most fundamental systems for urban living. But rapid structural change is hard to negotiate within existing communities.

In the new millennium, cities have become an emerging force among new forms of subnational climate governance. Of interest is how cities act unilaterally and directly in this new climate politics via the provision of relevant tools.

This week’s launch of Melbourne’s first zero energy display home, initially developed for a CRC for Low Carbon Living (CRCLCL) research program, was part of a $2.18 million energy-efficiency housing pilot program announcement for Victoria.

This paper analyses current active transport usage in a car-dependent metropolis using household travel survey data. A major conclusion emerges: most people and households did not undertake any reportable active transport usage, despite increasing policy support, education and promotion encouraging uptake. Less than a quarter of the population recorded travel on foot and just over 2% by bicycle, although there are differences by gender and age. There are important implications for policy development and urban design interventions aimed at encouraging greater use of the active modes.

This report presents findings from research undertaken by Swinburne University exploring staff engagement with using worm farms for food scrap compost in the Town Hall building of the City of Port Phillip offices.

Improving the health of a high ecological value waterway with stormwater disconnection.

Revitalising the Dandenong Creek for best community outcomes.
This case study delivers a range of waterway enhancements that the community helped to identify. Projects include daylighting a section of Dandenong Creek, creating new fish habitats, installing signage and public amenities, and working with industry to control pollution.

Provision of a fit-for-purpose sewerage system for residents in unsewered areas who are unable to contain their wastewater within their property using septic systems.
Yarra Valley Water’s Community Sewerage Program seeks to provide properties that cannot contain wastewater via customer owned and maintained septic systems, with a fit- for-purpose sewerage system.

Classifying train stations into typologies is a useful way to simplify their complex characteristics to assess their potential to become Transit Oriented Developments (TODs). This research explores the walkability of 230 train stations in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia using fourteen different walkability measures.

This document outlines a bold new strategy for a greener, more liveable Melbourne. It presents a vision of international significance in its massive scale, its outstanding collaboration, and its use of new and innovative mapping technology.

Applying behaviour change methods to reduce home energy consumption has resulted in varying outcomes and also conservation effects that were short-lived. Some of the more promising treatments included In Home Energy Displays (IHDs) and home energy bills with comparisons to unknown others - for individual homes. In contrast, so-called collective “energy communities” reduce individual energy consumption and report other benefits such as group cohesion and community building.

This report proposes legislative and policy reforms for the protection and repair of the rivers and creeks across Melbourne’s west.