ABSTRACT
The integrated network of urban greenspaces, waterways, forested areas, and parks delivers essential ecological services to humans and other species that inhabit cities. As a system, these elements comprise the green infrastructure (GI) of a region. Increasingly, GI provides the foundation for metropolitan planning. With its fundamental link to nature and natural systems, it is reasonable to regard GI as offering a landscape-led approach to regional planning. This chapter examines how the unique landscape elements and character of the Sydney metropolitan region provided the foundation for the Greater Sydney Region Plan. Recognizing the necessity of translating high-level, strategic planning goals and objectives to projects “on the ground”, the discussion progresses to more detailed planning visions and policies, and finally to examples of local projects delivering the promise of more sustainable urban landscapes.
