Two of City of Melbourne's key urban design initiatives are in the starters gates, with Lord Major Robert Doyle yesterday providing further information on the pair.

As of next month, the long-awaited upgrade to the southern end of Elizabeth Street will begin. Previously outlined on Urban.com.au during its infancy, the project will seek to transform the area into "a more functional, safe and attractive gateway for the thousands of pedestrians who use it every day,"

Having 9,300 per hour cycle through the bottom end of Elizabeth Street during peak times, the $2.2 million upgrade will include removing auto traffic southbound between Flinders Lane and Flinders Street by October this year. In turn pedestrian space will be more than doubled.

Five key components constitute the Elizabeth Street upgrade:

Southbound traffic lane removed

New pedestrian area

Tram stop stays

Western footpath upgraded

Northbound traffic lane stays.

The Elizabeth Street upgrade joins projects such as the West Melbourne parks expansion project and Southbank Boulevard's pending transformation in consuming sections of the existing road network in order to create greener, pedestrian friendly outcomes.

The potential for green roofs in the CBD. Image: CoM

Greener outcomes are also what City of Melbourne has in mind with yesterday's announcement that Council will allocate $1.2 million from its new Urban Forest Fund in order to encourage the greening of the city.

Under the plan, "City of Melbourne will partner with philanthropists, property developers, community groups and other Government organisations on greening projects. The initiatives could include planting trees, creating parks, green walls, roofs and facades and storm water projects."

The image above is what City of Melbourne hopes to be the eventual outcome of the scheme, highlighting the 236 hectares of intensive (heavy) green roofs and 328 hectares of extensive (lightweight) green roofs earmarked as capable of being receiving the green treatment.

In order to facilitate the transition to a greener CBD and surrounds, City of Melbourne have what is thought to be a world first online tool which maps all the rooftops which have the potential to be turned into solar, cool or green roofs.