Sustainable Urban Living – a Perth Perspective

The greater Perth area is one of the fastest growing urban regions in Australia. The existing residential sector is straining waste supply and energy infrastructure, and giving rise to increasing stress on the environment. The huge predicted urban growth demands new approaches to housing, the water supply infrastructure and waste management practices if Perth is to progress towards sustainability. The measures discussed for housing include reducing the size of new housing; the adoption of passive solar design as a principle for all new housing and housing retro-fi ts; reducing the embodied energy per unit fl oor area; and adopting solar hot water as a standard. The potential for dramatic reductions in scheme water use arising from water effi cient fi xtures, rainwater tanks and recycling are identifi ed as appropriate responses to the critical water supply issues facing Perth. Opportunities for additional domestic waste recovery in the areas of mixed solid waste and construction and demolition waste are discussed.