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Since launching last November, the 202020 Vision initiative to increase urban green space has been backed by more than 100 partners while also highlighting 90 projects that demonstrate best practice.

202020 Vision aims to increase urban green space in Australia, and, as a result, improve the environment, productivity and societal benefits. Citing concern by 93% of professionals in industries related in urban green space over the decline in urban green space in recent years, 202020 Vision is a growing collaboration of industry advocates and partner organisations.

Introducing the concept of 202020 Vision, Nursery and Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) Chief Executive Robert Prince explains "we know our cities need more green spaces, as they're good for our health, productivity, keeping cities cool and reducing pollution,"

"Urban heat islands, poor air quality, lack of enjoyable urban community areas are all poor outcomes when green spaces aren't incorporated into new developments and large scale building projects."

202020 Vision advocate Sacha Coles, adds "there is huge pressure being applied to our existing urban green space due to increased density and the demands of a growing population.

"We need to act now to increase opportunities for urban nature to thrive and improve our liveability, health and wellbeing."

The 202020 Vision mission is to:

• Map and showcase Australia's most innovative and inspiring urban green spaces
• Profile the individuals and organisations leading the way to green our cities
• Quantify the value and positive impacts of urban green space
• Use these to inspire governments, developers and communities to increase the green space in their cities
• Keep inspiring, keep improving so that we can all enjoy 20% more green spaces in our cities by 2020.

202020 Vision is backed by the nursery products levy (sometimes known as the 'pot levy') an industry levy payable on all containers in which plants are grown for resale, as well as on plastic bags, root control bags, degradable pots, punnets and any other container used for pots grown for resale.

Collected by the Levies Revenue Service, part of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the levy is used by the NGIA to back the strategic development of the horticultural industry.

For more information about 202020 Vision email hello@202020vision.com.au or go to http://202020vision.com.au 

9th January 2014 - OUTSTANDING PARKS RECOGNISED WITH INTERNATIONAL GREEN FLAG AWARD 

27th July 2012 - REPORT HIGHLIGHTS GROWING IMPORTANCE OF URBAN GREEN SPACE

8th March 2012 - URBAN DESIGN CAN BOOST ACTIVITY AND HEALTH

28th December 2011 - FOUNDATION CHIEF URGES AUSTRALIANS TO MAKE THE MOST OF ‘PARKS FOR PEOPLE’

10th May 2011 - PARKS ESSENTIAL FOR HUMAN HEALTH 

18th September 2010 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE FAILS TO GET WITH THE SPIRIT OF WORLD PARKS DAY

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