Where have all the backyards gone? The decline of usable residential greenspace in Brisbane, Australia

ABSTRACT

Urban design impacts all aspects of our lives – economic, social and environmental. Government planning policies aim for clean, green, sustainable growth, encouraging residential development close to major infrastructure and parks; and advocate protection of greenspace to enhance livability, health and wellbeing. Using an inner-suburb of Brisbane as a case study, this research evaluated policy outcomes by analysing residential development applications, to identify gaps between the policy intent and implementation. The key measurable outcome criteria selected for this policy evaluation included: dwelling density; zone category, type and built-form totals; major shopping centres, transport infrastructure and parks proximity; tree removal and replacement totals; residential greenspace area totals and additional public greenspace provision. The methods are adaptable to policy evaluation locally, nationally and internationally. The research identified significant gaps between the intent and implementation of planning policies, finding residential development outcomes did not comply with the policy intent; and highlighted the importance of effective governance through policy evaluation. The findings indicated a critical need for legislative amendment to improve compliance and a need to differentiate between general and usable residential greenspaces (URG). Further research is required to determine URG dimensions that afford benefits, for incorporation into assessment benchmarks linked to policy initiatives.

KEYWORDS:

• Yards and gardens
• assessment benchmarks
• policy evaluation
• residential development
• usable residential greenspace

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Linda P. Osborne: author, conceptualization, methodology, design, investigation, analysis.

D.F. Cushing and T.L. Washington: supervision, commentary, review.