Melbourne Week 2: Large-Scale Sustainable Decisions

     Melbourne has plenty of highly-involved citizens, but the city as a whole can be seen very quickly as a leader in environmental consciousness and sustainable design. Just by strolling through the city, you can see the work that has already marked it as a progressive, forward-thinking community. Having been into Melbourne on multiple occasions now, I have been able to experience the benefits of the city whether I realized it or not.

Mass Transit Everywhere

     Although many Melbourne citizens find faults with their systems public transit system, it is a very manageable, lean, and well-run program in my opinion. I believe that after living in Melbourne for a while, I would begin to see issues arise, but overall I find little to cause complain. The system boasts a complex network of trains, buses, and the largest tram (streetcar) system I have ever seen. While some criticize Melbourne's 'wheel and spoke' transit design, I find it to work well for this city, especially with the frequency of buses or trams through each stop. Cincinnati has a very similar design, but the 'wheel and spoke' has a less than desirable impact since the connections are more spread out and less frequent.
     Furthermore, Melbourne has a very unique attribute in its mass transit system. They have a free tram loop which circles the majority of the city center. This tram loop has always been free and intends to remain free. There are also city buses which run free 'spoke' routes to help citizens and visitors manage the city in a cheap way.  While this is not strictly a sustainable aspect of their system, I do find it to be a very wonderful and helpful tool in navigating a very expensive city, especially as a poor college traveler.

Research and Development

     If you did not already know, Melbourne a part of the Victorian state, has experienced harsh droughts for the past several decades. On a large scale, Melbourne has implemented massive efforts to conserve the dwindling supply of available water. Research at universities throughout the city - University of Melbourne, Deakin University, and Swinburne University - all tout a mind toward environmental initiatives. The University of Melbourne itself has a school devoted to the subject area  - the Melbourne School of Land and  Environment. The other universities house similar programs, and focus on both technical and social aspects of the sustainability.

Commercial Cooperation with Sustainable Initiatives

     It seems to permeate much of the Australian culture that recycling and water conservation are second nature. On more than one occasion  I have been impressed with the degree of corporate and commercial partnership in being environmental leaders. One example, in particular, sticks in my mind. A major grocery story chain, Coles, has made several sustainable food choice commitments. In all of its chains, Coles carries only free-range pork and only cage-free eggs. While these may seem like insignificant steps, consider that the food industry is concerned the most environmentally damaging commercial sector. Coles has plenty of other initiatives to partner these two major commitments. To check out the rest of their ideas, go here: http://www.coles.com.au/About-Coles/Environment.aspx

While I am sure to be missing many more great things going on in and around Melbourne, I believe this will have to suffice for now. In my final installment next week, I will look into the pros and cons of Australian environmental issues as a whole, paying close attention to the sustainability of their mining operations and energy choices.

Melbourne Week 1: An Environmentally Conscious City

     Hello all! This post hits near and dear to my heart, as much of what I do ends up becoming a reflection on how our actions as groups of people affects our world around us. I constantly find myself asking, are we doing the right thing? Are we doing enough? Is there a better way to do it? In Cincinnati, I'm proud to say we've started to frame these questions correctly, and I believe we are on the right path and beginning to make the right choices. Upon first stepping foot in Melbourne, I was blown away by the variety and depth of environmental consideration this city takes. There are varying levels of commitment and progress, but the one which struck me first - and hardest - was the everyday choices that citizens, families, business owners, and local governments all make to decrease their negative impact on the environment around them. The following is only a slice of the immense sustainability pie being baked here, but I hope you all view my observations the same way in which I did, with positive optimism.

Recycling. Everywhere.

It's harder for me to find a recycling bin than a trash bin in Melbourne.

     Recycling is certainly something I think most Americans take for granted, don't use properly, or don't use at all. We have home recycling, like many countries, but if I am ever out on a walk, in the city center, or really anywhere outside my house (or campus), it is nearly impossible to find a simple recycling can. I must either resort to throwing something recycling in the trash, or carrying recycling around until I get home. It's nowhere on the streets, seldom in restaurants, and begrudgingly absent in most offices and work areas.

      To most, recycling is something "that society should do, but not me." It's a sad fact, but most regard it as an inconvenience. Why would I recycle something when I already have a bin for trash? I could go on and on about the issues and errors in this statement, but I'm here to talk about the beauty of Melbourne's recycling system. Like Cincinnati, Melbourne touts a co-mingled recycling program, where all types of recyclables can be put together. What's the difference then? Accessibility. From my observations after a full days adventure around the city, Melbourne actually has more recycling bins than trash bins. And they are everywhere. Street corners, parks, bathrooms, coffee shops, corner stores, sport stadiums, and everywhere in between.

I wouldn't be surprised if the mentality here is, why have a trash bin when you can recycle anything, anywhere? 

Water Conservation and Efficiency

     None of Melbourne's everyday sustainable choices are that surprising. However, they are incredibly effective. Melbourne, a part of the Victorian Region, has experienced serious drought for the past several decades. The city has responded appropriately and swiftly, and thus, has coped effectively with this water shortage. Melbourne's Federal Square is a main gathering place for its citizens. Hosting community events, concerts, performances, and being surrounded by art galleries and other local attractions, it has a high visibility for tourists and city-dwellers alike. 

     On my group's wander through Melbourne, I found myself ogling the small sign positioned above each stall and urinal in the community space's bathroom: "This toilet is flushed with sustainable rainwater collected  at Federation Square." I honestly was speechless. The foresight and planning which had surrounded this space was phenomenal.

     Another note on sanitary water use, I have yet to see a toilet or urinal in Australia that is not dual flush. It's not an impressive feature to any Aussie, I'm sure, because it is expected and understood as the right choice. This kind of consciousness about environmental choices is a hope of mine for Cincinnati and the entire United States.

Architectural Sustainability and Adaptive Reuse

Seaside buildings, adaptive reuse, and forward-thinking renovation.

     Stepping off the Melbourne train at Southern Cross station, any tourist would be floored with their architectural feats. Perhaps more subtle, but still incredible (in my opinion) is the architectural consideration which help to passively control changing weather conditions. Vertical shading, optimally places windows, and other innovations help to control the heat exchange and minimize energy cost for buildings.

     I am studying at Deakin University's Geelong campus (about an hour from Melbourne), which is in the process of renovating all its buildings, taking special considerations for its specific climate and weather patterns. The most impressive part of these building designs, however, is the reuse of the old buildings on their site. Geelong saw massive economic success from the mid 19th century until the 1950s due to the wool industry. Massive manufacturing buildings sprouted along its harbor area to accommodate the trade. After this success waned, these buildings were vacated, and have remained so until recently. The buildings have now been refurbished and reused by Deakin University to find new homes for its growing student body at this campus. 

The Environmental Mentality 

While there is more than one meaning in this street art, its commentary on the environment rings true.

     "Mother of Christ, save me from this toxic city full of parasites." While this message, etched above a famous alley known for its street art, may seem to dispel all the praise I've given to Melbourne, it really shows the tenacity and forwardness of Melbourne's citizens. Yes, they have made massive accomplishments as an environmentally conscious city, but its citizen know there is much more to be done. Furthermore, these citizens do not expect their government to simply make all of these choices, but instead take matters into their own hands.
     In downtown Geelong, more than "solar energy solutions" small business sits between coffee shop and novelty stores, thriving just as much as any other small business. Families tout huge solar panels, covering their roofs. I find rainwater barrels in every other garden in the neighborhood. Bike lanes command a section of nearly every street. It is a beautiful place to live.

     What's exciting about this post, to me, is that I am only talking about the citizen-level of environmental contributions. Stay tuned for my investigation of city level projects in my next post!