Urban Development
Sustainable urban development should meet the needs of our community without comprising the needs of future generations. Being sensitive to the changing climate, liveable communities must have an urban built form that is resilient to climate variables, as well as allowing environmentally sustainable living through low-emission households, promoting active transport, water sensitivity, and cool and green neighbourhoods.
The thermal performance and energy efficiency of Australian homes is about 40% lower than that of other developed nations with similar climates[1]. This is a major barrier to the community’s ability to reduce emissions and build resilience to urban heat, and will lock in carbon emissions and high power bills for decades to come.
With the construction, operation and maintenance of buildings accounting for almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia[2], this is a major area of both concern and opportunity for change.
Sustainable development
Below is a list of useful links and documents regarding assessment tools and guidelines for improving environmentally sustainable outcomes in Urban Development .
| Useful Links and Documents | Description |
|---|---|
| Green Star - Communities (Green Building Council Australia) | The Green Star – Communities National Framework assesses the planning, design and construction of large scale development projects at a precinct, neighbourhood and/or community scale. It provides a rigorous and holistic rating across five impact categories. If you are starting a new project, download the Green Star – Communities Project inception checklist to ensure the principles of the Green Star Communities rating tool is embedded into the early project planning activities. |
| Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) Framework | The Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) Framework was developed by Victorian councils to provide a streamlined and consistent methodology for requesting, receiving and assessing built environment sustainability outcomes through the planning process. The webpage also includes a range of useful Sustainable Design Fact Sheets. |
| Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) | The Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) is an online sustainability assessment tool purpose built by Victorian councils for the Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) framework. BESS is owned by the Municipal Association of Victoria and was developed with support by the Victorian Government. |
| Victorian Sustainable Subdivisions Framework (SSF) | The Sustainable Subdivisions Framework (SSF) is a framework that seeks to provide statutory planners with a basis for measuring and achieving stronger sustainability outcomes in residential subdivisions, while also providing information on how sustainability interventions can be integrated into residential subdivisions. |
| BASIX assessment tool for Sustainable buildings (NSW) | An integrated part of the NSW planning system, BASIX is implemented under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. BASIX applies to all residential dwelling types and is part of the development application process in NSW. |
| Cool Suburbs rating tool | Cool Suburbs is a rating and assessment tool for building heat resilience in urban planning and development, developed by the Western Sydney Region of Councils (WSROC) in collaboration with Resilient Sydney and Greater Sydney Commission. For a detailed overview of the Cool Suburbs Tool download the Cool Suburbs Fact Sheet |
Resilient Housing
The Learning Hub for Energy Efficient Construction
The Learning Hub for Energy Efficient Construction is an initiative of the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining. The website hosts the Net Zero Homes Skills training; a series of online modules for builders, trades, contractors and all allied professions involved in residential construction focused on delivering energy efficient homes.
There's currently no fee to take these modules, and they'd be relevant to council staff who deal with residential developments. The website has links to a range of useful resources including the Australian Government’s Your Home website, net zero homes case studies, networks, learning resources and more.
Homes for Tomorrow
The Homes for Tomorrow website has information for people building or renovating their homes to make them more sustainable. The website contains case studies (by South Australian Homeowners), fact sheets and useful links all aimed at homeowners to help answer common questions they may have about making home improvements that have positive environmental outcomes and make homes more liveable.
Where We Build, What We Build
This project was an initiative of Resilient Hills and Coasts Regional Climate Partnership. It was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments under the South Australian Disaster Resilience Grant Program, and the Insurance Council of Australia. The scope covers Adelaide Hills Council, Alexandrina Council, District Council of Mount Barker, City of Victor Harbor and District Council of Yankalilla. More information available in the following report and factsheets.
- Final Report
- Factsheet - Building climate ready homes
- Factsheet - Climate hazard mapping
- Factsheet - Climate resilient materials
- Factsheet - Guide for planners
- Factsheet - Housing archetypes
- Factsheet - Project overview
Adapting our Homes for Climate Change
AdaptWest has launched a new online 3D Interactive House and a new My Cool Home tool for be used to assess the energy efficiency and comfort of the homes, for use by designers, builders or the general community.
Resilient East have collated resources to assist community on all aspects of sustainable and climate ready homes. You can access all videos and resources from their Sustainable Homes Expo.
One House to Save Many
Australia is no stranger to extreme weather – and it’s only getting worse. It’s forcing Australians to become more resilient, but it raises an important question. Can you build a house that’s as resilient as us? This short documentary, presented by Suncorp, was developed in collaboration with James Cook University, CSIRO and Room11 Architects.
