August 5, 2026

Australian cities are increasingly grappling with complex challenges due to the climate-driven increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters and extreme weather events. Urban green spaces (UGS) play a vital role in buffering the impacts of these challenges and providing resilience for local communities. They offer numerous environmental and health benefits, such as flood mitigation, microclimate regulation, cooling effects, and support for residents' mental and physical well-being. As global warming intensifies, effective management of these green spaces is essential to enhance their capacity to withstand the increasing pressures from natural hazards.
There are 3 freely available guides for planning, planting, designing, and managing resilient green spaces to reduce the risks of extreme heat, flood, and fire. A fourth guide to be published in March 2027 looks at multi-hazards.
These guides are designed to support and inspire anyone engaged in creating and managing UGS.