Hunter communities can do more to encourage "green cities" to protect against the warming climate and maintain connections to nature, University of Newcastle researchers say.
The researchers believe a national planning framework of green city principles is needed from the government, but people power can do much on its own.
"We should not rely solely on government. In a changing environment, we can each assist with maintaining and expanding native vegetation where we live and work," said Mark Maund, a research affiliate in the university's School of Architecture and Built Environment.
Mr Maund said the Hunter was "increasingly understanding the role of green cities" in urban settings.
The researchers said councils in the Hunter had introduced programs and policies for this purpose.
Nevertheless, Kim Maund - discipline head of construction management in the School of Architecture and Built Environment - said: "We can do more".
"A focus on retaining trees while requiring additional green space within development sites would continue to create micro-environments to reduce heat and create connected local green spaces," Dr Maund said.
Professor SueAnne Ware, head of the School of Architecture and Built Environment, said "we can encourage our open spaces to be designed as biodiversity corridors to encourage urban ecosystems".
Professor Ware said "climate resilient plant species" could be trialled in these corridors.
This includes street trees which can endure "hotter temperatures and less water due to predicted climate change".
Mr Maund said the benefits of greening cities and suburbs include "linking people to the environment".
"In an increasingly dense and urban environment, we often lose contact with nature. Retaining and planting native vegetation maintains that link," he said.
"In addition, initiatives such as the Newcastle Council Living Streets program provide cool spaces in our urban environment, store carbon and encourage native wildlife while improving local air quality."
Mr Maund said parks and recreation spaces can "play a large role in greening our cities and suburbs as multi-purpose places that also provide biodiversity links within urban areas".
Many new release areas, however, are developing small backyards with very few plants and trees.
"This is the challenge of creating enough homes for communities while retaining native vegetation. Having a small backyard does not preclude a green environment. We as a community need to encourage each other to provide as much green space to our urban areas as possible," Mr Maund said.
Dr Maund said apartments can be a "positive lifestyle choice that provide access to city services and reduce travel time and costs, including carbon in transport".
"We can choose to green these spaces," she said.
Professor Ware added that it was important that building design "continues to encourage green roofs, green walls and perhaps incentives to continue these as key aspects of apartment living".
"Residents of apartments can choose to have potted native plants, grow herbs and vegetables and encourage others to do the same. The community needs to be involved in greening their own spaces."
Dr Maund said a national planning framework of green city principles was needed.
"Urban areas experience the heat-island effect that creates hotter temperatures.
"Cities often have limited green space and a high ratio of hard surfaces, infrastructure and buildings that store heat and reduce air flow. Green cities help combat this effect."
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