Urban Planning Regulations for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) in Victoria: Beyond Building Controls

Abstract

Urban development has a significant role to play within the broader context of achieving ecologically sustainable development (ESD). In particular, adverse impacts caused by buildings are a major component of the overall ecological footprints of cities. The Australian state of Victoria does not have statutory planning instruments in which ESD assessment requirements for buildings are embedded, relying on building regulations alone. In the absence of state-wide regulatory controls, several local governments have implemented both voluntary and mandatory requirements for ESD assessment at the planning approval stage. This gives rise to an important question: should elements of these ESD assessm..