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Glossary and definitions

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Understand commonly used Brisbane Green Factor terms, including typologies and green elements.

General terms

Term Definition
Base score An assigned score for different typologies in the Brisbane Green Factor tool.
Brisbane Green Factor An award-winning non-statutory online tool that supports urban development professionals when assessing the quality of proposed green infrastructure in new developments.
Deep planting

Generally, a deep planting area:

  • has no structure above or below, or obstructs any future canopy area 
  • is a minimum dimension of 4 m in any direction.  
Development typology A categorised development type based on use, occupation and other identifying characteristics.
Ecosystem service areas Key sustainable measurables that are integral to delivering healthy urban places and align with Brisbane’s strategic objectives.
Element rating A score allocated to each Brisbane Green Factor element.
Green element categories Key green elements measured in the Brisbane Green Factor tool. This includes in-ground planting, green walls, green facades, green roofs and planting on structure.
Green factor area The total amount of calculable green infrastructure on a site.
Green factor element rating A rating that measures the total greening of a development in the Brisbane Green Factor tool.
Green factor score The ratio of the total green factor area against the site area.
Site area Total land within the property lines of a parcel or combination of parcels that make up the side for a land use project.

Green elements

Term Definition
Green facade A vegetated facade system.
Green roof A roof structure designed to promote the growth of vegetation on buildings.
Green wall A vertically built structure intentionally covered with vegetation.
In-ground planting Existing or new plants grown directly in natural, uncompacted soil with no obstructions to the tree roots and canopy in an area that is of sufficient size and dimension to support large subtropical shade tree species.
Planting on structure Comprise planters within a container located at ground level, on balconies, podiums and roofs, and support small and medium trees and plants.
Public realm Public realm includes any publicly accessible streets, pathways, plazas, parks or open spaces that are adjacent to, but are not within, the site boundary. 

Typologies

Term Definition
Community facility Buildings that provide a community service such as childcare centres, places of worship or local libraries.
Commercial office Large and smaller-scale office buildings used for professional or commercial purposes.
High-rise context A tall, multi-storey structure, typically requiring elevations and exceeding 8 storeys or more.
Hotel/other accommodation Multistorey buildings for long-term or temporary accommodation, such as hotels, motels or guest houses.
Large-scale residential Residential buildings with shared access, common areas and facilities greater than 5 storeys in height.
Light industrial Single or multiple buildings such with large areas of hardstand for industrial uses.
Light industrial context A lower-density scale of development that supports light industrial and warehouse typologies typically no more than 3 storeys in height.
Low-rise commercial context A lower-density scale of building form that supports commercial and retail buildings no more than 5 storeys in height.
Medium-scale residential Residential buildings with shared access, common areas and facilities up to 5 storeys in height.
Mid-rise context A medium-density scale of development that supports townhouse and residential building typologies typically no more than 5 storeys in height.
Public building Large-scale public or private buildings such as hospitals, schools and art galleries.
Retail, shop or service Individual small-scale use of premises for displaying, selling or hiring goods or providing personal services to the public.
Service station This typology includes single or multiple low scale buildings with large areas of hardstand primarily for vehicle movement. These premises are used for selling fuel and maintaining, repairing, servicing or washing vehicles. They could also include shops or food and drink outlets.
Shopping centre Multiple shops, retail or service spaces forming an integrated shopping complex or centre.
Small-scale residential Single detached and attached dwellings and townhouses one to 2 storeys in height, with private or communal ground level open space.
Warehouse Single or multiple buildings such with large areas of hardstand for industrial uses.

Vegetation type

Term Definition
Exotic vegetation Vegetation that is not indigenous to Australia.
Indigenous vegetation Plants that are indigenous or locally native to Brisbane including trees, shrubs, sedges, herbs and grasses.
Native vegetation Plants that are indigenous to Australia including trees, shrubs, sedges, herbs and grasses.
Productive vegetation Plants that are food sources for humans, including fruit trees, vegetables and herbs.