202020 VISION POLICY GUIDE
08 Jul 2016
The 202020 Vision has released a policy guide which has identified the challenges the project faces as well as the opportunities available from government and private sector for green spaces.
A first of its kind research by Josh Byrne & Associates, commissioned by Hort Innovation for the 202020 Vision Policy Guide, has identified the Top Ten Challenges preventing greener and more livable cities.
The 202020 Vision is a not-for-profit, collaborative initiative that is working with private sector, all-levels of government, academia and expert individuals to see an increase in urban green spaces in our cities, which are currently in decline. 202020 Vision feels that green space is vitally important in our cities as they reduce heat, clean the air, and even make people healthier and productive.
The three-part Policy Guide emerged in response to the frustration and confusion felt by representatives of the 202020 Vision’s 400-strong network members and organisations with inconsistent policies, excessive clearing, poor planning decisions and lack of incentives for truly innovative and world class green infrastructure developments. The research found the Federal Government’s lack of formal recognition of the value and importance of plants and trees in cities is the single greatest challenge to overcome.
The Policy Guide not only recognises major policy ‘pain points’ but also opportunities for all levels of government, as well as the private sector to overcome these to realise the health, economic, cooling and productivity benefits of leafy urban areas.
Key recommendations from the report include the need for State, Territory and Local Government to improve their understanding, planning and management of current and future urban green spaces.