A groundbreaking 24-month trial is underway in Harrison to naturally cool Canberra’s urban heat using an innovative approach inspired by successful Finnish experiments, with the support of the ACT Government.
The “Rewetting Our Urban Soil Sponge” project team of land management specialist Ben Fox, Professor Leah Moore and soil expert Walter Jehne, is testing whether strategic grassland management can reduce temperatures in one of Canberra’s hottest suburbs.
The trial builds on remarkable success in Lahti, Finland, where urban lawn techniques proved so effective at rebuilding soil carbon that the local government adopted the methods before the project was even finished.
“Natural cooling can be achieved through three key mechanisms: soil rehydration, latent heat flux, and reduced heat re-radiation—all of which depend on a healthy soil carbon sponge,” the project team explains.
The initiative combines field trials at the Canberra Environment Centre with practical demonstrations in Harrison, focusing on how strategic mowing and soil management can naturally reduce urban heat while improving energy efficiency.
With Canberra facing increasing climate extremes, the project aims to develop scalable solutions that could be rolled out across the ACT’s urban landscapes. Community Housing Canberra has already expressed interest in integrating the soil hydration practices into their developments.
The trial will produce practical guidelines for land managers and position the ACT as a pioneer in green infrastructure innovation, offering a potential model for other Australian cities grappling with rising temperatures.
Results from the comprehensive study are expected to show how revitalizing urban soil can create more resilient spaces that better protect residents during heatwaves while reducing energy consumption
Project Manager ben@benfox.com.au
Cooling your suburbs site in Harrison, Canberra
Prof Leah Moore Holding Soil Equipment
Ben Fox Testing Soil Compaction
Cooling your suburb logo block