Biodiversity Positive Design Guide: A Process for Landscape Architects and Allied Professionals

<p dir="ltr">The world faces a biodiversity crisis that poses an existential threat. Biodiversity is deteriorating worldwide at catastrophic rates with over one million species are threatened with extinction globally. In Australia, this crisis is particularly acute, with the highest mammal extinction rate globally and extensive native vegetation cleared since European colonisation in 1788. Currently 87 ecological communities are threatened around Australia with many ecosystems at risk of collapse.</p><p dir="ltr">This guide presents a process to assist landscape architects and allied professionals address this crisis in their daily work through ensuring that projects are “Biodiversity Positive”. Biodiversity Positive Design (BPD) is the process whereby biodiversity is prioritised, and net positive outcomes are achieved for nature. As the guide explains, biodiversity is multidimensional, so there are many ways to achieve this. BPD represents a fundamental shift from minimising environmental harm to actively enhancing ecological value through landscape architecture interventions.</p><p dir="ltr">The systematic seven-stage process for implementing BPD aligns with standard project delivery phases while embedding biodiversity considerations throughout. The process moves beyond conventional approaches that seek to "do no harm" toward delivering measurable net gains in biodiversity that achieve ecological health.</p><p dir="ltr">The seven stages include:</p><ul><li>Community & Stakeholder Engagement - biodiversity habitat assessment and connecting with Country</li><li>Ecological Site Analysis - comprehensive site ecological survey</li><li>Biodiversity, Climate & Country Goals - biodiversity feasibility planning and target refinement</li><li>Measurement & Targets - establishing baseline conditions and success criteria</li><li>Design Strategies - biodiversity concept design and species selection</li><li>Ongoing Management - establishment and construction protocols</li><li>Handover & Use - long-term monitoring and stewardship</li></ul><p dir="ltr">Each stage includes detailed guidance, practical tools, and quality control measures that ensure successful biodiversity outcomes. Successful BPD implementation requires organisational change that builds capacity, aligns incentives, and embeds biodiversity considerations into standard practice. The guide provides practical tools including assessment checklists, monitoring protocols, plant selection guidelines, and regulatory framework summaries that enable immediate implementation while building long-term capability.</p><p dir="ltr">When crediting this guide, please use the following citation:</p><p dir="ltr">Hawken, S., de Beaujeu, G., Hahs, A., Dobbie, M., Ignatieva, M., Cabanek, A., Hazelwood, J., Sanders, I. and Secci, M. (2025) <i>Biodiversity Positive Design Guide: A Process for Landscape Architects and Allied Professionals</i>. Version 1.0. Canberra: Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. ISBN 978-1-7641757-2-2, DOI: 10.25909/29573984</p>