Healthy Soil Systems in Tree Pits Are the Foundation of Climate-Resilience
When we think about the infrastructure that keeps cities running, we picture roads, drains, cables and pipes. Yet beneath our feet lies another form of infrastructure that is just as critical, though it often escapes attention: soil. In the context of urban environments, soil should be understood as an active, living system rather than simply […]
Drought today, deluge tomorrow – but there’s a solution for climate whiplash
It wouldn’t be a British summer without a crop of news platform articles about how hot, cold, wet or dry it is. And there’s more to hit the headlines than in the past, too. Britain’s summer weather patterns – so long associated with rain that jokes about a Bank Holiday correlating with a certain downpour […]
Greener High Streets Can Grow Local Economies
Across towns and cities in the UK, high streets find themselves at a crossroads. Traditionally, summer brings an uptick in visitors, yet recent figures from the British Retail Consortium highlight just how tough the current landscape has become. In July 2025, total UK footfall slipped 0.4% compared with the same month last year, with high […]
Shaping Safe Streets with Urban Trees
Cities in the UK are changing. New developments are expected to serve multiple functions, from moving people efficiently, to offering access to nature and keeping communities safe from both crime and climate-related risks. As this shift continues, there is growing recognition that trees are essential to how we build safer places to live and work. […]
Balancing the Urban Equation Through Green Infrastructure
In an era of rapid urbanisation and climate change, how we allocate our limited land resources has never been more critical. The concept of land budgets offers a systematic approach to ensure land is used efficiently and equitably, balancing development needs with environmental preservation. This challenge has gained renewed urgency as planners and policymakers increasingly […]
Technology & Trees: The Data-Driven Future of Urban Forestry
The Future of Urban Forestry is Here: How GIS and LiDAR Are Transforming Tree Management Urban forestry is experiencing a technological revolution. While traditional methods relied on clipboards and measuring tapes, today’s arborists and landscape architects have access to sophisticated digital tools that solve real problems in urban forest management. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and […]
The Importance of Urban Trees in Stormwater Management
When heavy rains hit urban areas, traditional drainage systems can become overwhelmed within minutes, turning streets into rivers and overwhelming sewage systems. As cities continue to expand and climate change intensifies weather patterns, this problem is only getting worse. Street trees, however, present a proven natural solution to these urban stormwater management challenges. The Problem […]
New national SuDS standards are transforming development for a more resilient future
The introduction of new national standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) marks a significant step forward in the way water management is addressed in urban development. This regulatory update reinforces the growing consensus among industry professionals that effective drainage solutions must work with natural processes, not against them. In the UK, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) […]
How Felixstowe Delivered Successful SuDS Through Cross-Agency Collaboration
Bloor Homes’ residential development in Felixstowe, Suffolk provides a practical example of implementing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) within the constraints of modern UK housing projects. The development occurred during a period of regulatory transition, requiring navigation of new environmental requirements while managing the realities of urban site limitations. The project demonstrates the practical challenges […]
Tree Pits and Raingardens are Transforming Climate-Resilient Urban Design
Urban communities across the UK are experiencing more frequent and intense flooding events that challenge the capacity of conventional drainage networks. As weather patterns evolve, and rainfall becomes more unpredictable, traditional infrastructure approaches are reaching their operational limits. This changing landscape presents an opportunity to rethink how we manage stormwater in our towns and cities, […]