Ep 49 Environmental Planning | Dr Daniel Martin

Dr Daniel Martin is an award-winning environmental planner and designer, Lecturer and Co-Head of Landscape Architecture at The University of Western Australia, and a member of the UWA Oceans Institute. Working across environmental planning, urban ecology, conservation and landscape design, Daniel is helping develop a new vision for cities that support both people and nature. In this episode, Daniel joins marine scientist and Paramount Importance host Kurt Krispyn to examine one of the biggest environmental questions facing Western Australia: how can Perth continue growing without destroying the ecosystems, waterways and tree canopy that make the city liveable? Perth stretches for more than 150 kilometres, yet many new suburbs are being built with almost no mature trees, limited open space and little room for wildlife. Daniel explains how these decisions create urban heat, increase dependence on air conditioning and leave lower-income communities with less access to nature. The conversation explores: Why Perth became such a sprawling city How wildlife corridors prevent ecological fragmentation The hidden aquifers and groundwater systems beneath Perth Why some suburbs can be dramatically hotter than surrounding areas How urban forests improve health, biodiversity and climate resilience Whether smaller homes could help solve the housing and environmental crises The role of Noongar knowledge in caring for Country How nature-based solutions could protect coastlines from sea-level rise Why environmental planning must consider centuries—not just election cycles. Daniel also shares hopeful examples of communities influencing government policy, protecting native forests and wetlands, and developing neighbourhoods where housing, public space and biodiversity can coexist. This is a conversation about the cities we have inherited, the environmental mistakes we continue to make and the choices that could create a cooler, healthier and more resilient future.