Rethinking Risk, Responsibility and Design in Urban Green Infrastructure
Urban trees are widely acknowledged as difference-making infrastructure; vital for climate resilience, biodiversity, public wellbeing and placemaking, and also potentially a useful element in expediting a smoother planning process. Yet their inclusion in new developments still remains fraught. Despite mounting evidence of their ecological and social value, trees – in particular those located in or […]
The Commercial Case for Landscape-First Development Planning
There’s no denying that in these increasingly eco-conscious times, the direction of travel is towards green-blue infrastructure, with both urban greening and nature-based Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) becoming considered more desirable and important in UK developments for myriad reasons – including, crucially, climate resilience in the face of increasingly frequent and extreme storm events. From […]
Encouraging Increase in Retail Sales with Urban Trees
Over the years, research institutes around the world have studied the importance of having trees in shopping areas, proving that the presence of healthy mature trees positively influences shopping behavior. One study done by the University of Washington examined the connection between trees and people’s response to shopping locations. The research found that shoppers respond […]
Could the City of London’s Updated Sustainability Planning Document Set a New Standard for Urban Development?
The City of London Corporation has recently updated its comprehensive Sustainability Planning Document (SPD), which provides guidance on how applicants should approach environmental sustainability along with key actions and measures for developments in the capital. As the bar is raised for sustainable development in the city, could other London Boroughs or even local authorities follow […]
Building Resilient Streetscapes: Infrastructure Endorsed by Test Data Offers Best Value
Urban trees are fundamental to vibrant and sustainable streetscapes, offering shade, reducing air pollution, enhancing biodiversity, supporting community wellbeing, and contributing to the efficacy of nature-based drainage systems. However, while the stability and resilience of these trees in urban environments is critical, it is often overlooked. Changing weather patterns, heavy traffic and poor soil conditions […]
Sustainable Tree Pit Solutions for a Greener Middle East
Over the past 50 years, the Middle East has experienced some of the fastest-growing urban populations globally, with growth rates consistently higher than those in China or Africa. This rapid urbanisation has transformed cities like Dubai, Riyadh and Doha into major international hubs, presenting unique challenges in sustainable urban planning. As the region continues to […]
Pioneering Green Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
With the recent announcement that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup for the first time, investing in green infrastructure around developments will do more than create a wow factor. New stadiums in the Middle East will be under immense pressure to impress, and green spaces will be essential given the intense heat […]
Why Green-Blue Infrastructure is a Win-Win for New Developments
UK construction sector insiders have been paying close attention to government announcements over the past week or so – there have been quite a number of them – and preparing to ramp up as a result. From the new homes target of 1.5 million by 2029, to the New Hospital Programme, via National Planning Policy […]
How to Design for Urban Trees That Thrive (Part 1)
Picture this: A landscape architecture firm has been awarded the bid for the landscape design of Main Street in the prominent metropolis of Big City, USA. The city’s goal is to establish large-canopy urban trees that will line the streets for generations to come. The benefits are clear – from increased property values to cleaner […]
Smart, Scalable SuDS: Strength in Numbers
Climate change and urbanisation are pushing our drainage networks to the edge of their capabilities – and beyond. A combination of a preference for impermeable surfaces, population growth and more intense rainfall events (owing to climate change) has left our sewer networks struggling to cope. The result? More frequent surface water flooding, overwhelmed wastewater treatment […]