Developed by expert practitioners in landscape architecture and ESD in consultation with leading residential developers, the Guidelines provide advice on how to integrate nature into development. The Scorecards provide an assessment framework for accreditation, enabling developers to demonstrate credible excellence in nature-positive design and differentiate themselves in the market.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at Biodiversity COP15 at the end of 2022, sets out an ambitious pathway to a world living in harmony with nature. Target 12 reads: “Significantly increase the area, quality and connectivity of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces in urban and densely populated areas…”.

NBC envisions a future where cities are developed in harmony with nature. Its Design Guidelines and Scorecards support tangible progress towards this vision, through a quantifiable, scalable framework that developers and industry can implement with confidence.

NBC addresses this gap by focusing on the retention and inclusion of high-value vegetation and ecological communities on site. For developers, the framework can support faster approvals, stronger marketing outcomes and potentially higher returns through improved pricing and sales velocity.

The Guidelines encourage the engagement of landscape architects from project commencement, positioning landscape architecture as a key profession in responding to the biodiversity crisis and associated climate impacts.

Since the launch of the Guidelines, Tract and NBC have participated in advocacy with developers, industry groups and government authorities to promote the importance of nature and the role of landscape architects in managing impacts to nature in urban development.

By increasing canopy cover, improving biodiversity, providing habitat for urban wildlife and supporting human health and wellbeing, these projects demonstrate NBC’s positive influence on outcomes for people and nature.