Research for a greener city

Ecological restoration, sustainable growth and enhanced urban design are a few of the many topical issues being explored by students through a new research agreement with Wellington City Council.

The agreement forms part of the Council’s ‘Our Living City’ project, which aims to improve Wellington’s liveability and connections to nature.

Eight students joined the Council for a 10-week internship as part of Victoria’s Summer Research Scholarships programme. They applied their expertise to diverse projects, from quantifying the economic benefit of the Makara Peak mountain bike park to trialling different ways to increase voluntary participation in community planting programmes. A long-term research project will also be undertaken by a new Post Doctoral Fellow in Cities and Urban Nature.

The agreement builds on Victoria’s existing research links with the Council and wildlife sanctuary Zealandia.