How Australia’s housing affordability crisis worsens climate risks
Urban planning choices in western Sydney, specifically in suburbs like Marsden Park, are exacerbating the effects of climate change. The article criticizes the reliance on dark materials and lack of green space, which contribute to the urban heat island effect.
Why it matters
It highlights how poor urban design choices in the face of a housing affordability crisis can create long-term environmental and health risks for residents.
Suburbs in Sydney’s west seemed designed to magnify the effects of climate change. Michael Howard Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Remove items from your saved list to add more.
Share A A A Across the country, Australia is falling behind in adapting to the backed-in impacts of climate change. See all stories . If you set out to design a suburb that is least suited to the climate conditions of the 21st century, you might end up with something a bit like the western Sydney neighbourhood of Marsden Park.
During several summer heatwaves , western Sydney has had the dubious honour of being the hottest place on earth, a problem that is expected to intensify because of baked-in climate change even if emissions fall tomorrow.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in