With temperatures often climbing into the high 20s and beyond, urban areas can feel noticeably hotter than surrounding suburbs. This is known as the urban heat island effect, where buildings, roads, and concrete surfaces absorb and retain heat, increasing local temperatures and placing extra pressure on energy use and public health.

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​To combat this, the City of Melbourne has launched the ambitious “Cooling and Greening Melbourne” initiative, part of Plan Melbourne – Action 91. The goal is simple but powerful: to cool the city by up to 4 °C using smart, sustainable design and nature-based solutions.

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Through the program, Melbourne is:

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• Expanding tree canopy cover and green corridors across the city;

• Supporting rooftop gardens and green walls on buildings;

• Using cooling pavements and permeable surfaces to reduce heat absorption;

• Enhancing stormwater systems to create greener, more resilient urban spaces.

 

These efforts are already delivering results. Since 2010, more than 15,000 trees have been planted across Melbourne, and dozens of streets have been upgraded with water-sensitive landscaping and sustainable drainage features. Research shows that expanding green roofs and tree coverage can reduce surface temperatures by up to 4 °C, improving comfort, reducing emissions, and supporting biodiversity.

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As we move through another bright Melbourne summer, it’s a great reminder that every sustainable action, from planting a tree to supporting green infrastructure, helps create a cooler, cleaner, and more liveable city for everyone.