Ecological Footprint case study - Aurora Residential Development: progressing towards ‘one planet living’.

VicUrban, the Victorian Government’s sustainable land development agency, is currently building Aurora, Melbourne’s newest sustainable community in Epping North.

Aurora is a good example of how urban and housing design can have a significant influence on reducing our environmental impact. Over the next 20 years, Aurora will comprise approximately 8,000 homes with an anticipated population of 25,000. Envisioned as one of Australia’s most innovative and unique communities, Aurora seeks to achieve a pioneering level of sustainable outcomes.

To see how far this sustainable community goes toward achieving sustainable living, VicUrban partnered with EPA Victoria, the Global Footprint Network and the Centre for Design at RMIT to undertake an assessment comparing Aurora’s Ecological Footprint to the Footprint of a conventional 5-star development.

The average Victorian resident’s Footprint is now more than four times the amount of biologically productive land available per person worldwide. The Ecological Footprint analysis found that the total Ecological Footprint of an Aurora resident is 7.03 global hectares, a saving of 9% on a conventional development Footprint, which is a significant feat, but still three and a half times the biocapacity available per person.

The major Ecological Footprint findings at Aurora are:

  • The total Aurora residents’ Footprint is approximately 9% less than for residents of a 5-Star greenfields development, and less than that of the average Victorian. If this saving could be replicated globally, humanity would be able to eliminate a substantial amount of its current ecological deficit.
  • The housing Footprint of Aurora achieves a 53% reduction compared to 5-Star developments now being built in Victoria
  • 11% reduction in the mobility Footprint at Aurora due to the pedestrian and bike friendly design combined with greater housing densities.

The Ecological Footprint study findings demonstrate the value of Aurora’s sustainability strategies compared with a conventional Victorian 5-Star greenfields development and confirm the degree of creativity, innovation and commitment required from all sectors of the community to work towards ‘one planet living’.

For a copy of the ‘Ecological Footprint Analysis of Aurora Residential Development’ report go to www.vicurban.com