Green interventions in the urban landscape

In many urban areas, it is evident that there is lack of greenery and that there are notable gaps in the green network. It is easy to believe that there is no space available for greenery in the dense urban spaces apart from the already existing parks and recreational grounds. But with creativity and innovative solutions, it is possible to introduce green interventions even in unexpected urban environments.

With the increasing awareness on climate change and loss of biodiversity, people are looking for ways to create climate resilient future cities. Urban green interventions play a critical role in achieving this vision.

Green spaces offer many benefits to people and the environment. Urban green interventions such as trees and vegetation in the public realm, urban forest pockets, green roofs and green walls provide critical ecosystem services and health benefits.

Greenery can be introduced even within existing public realm through innovative and strategic thinking. Green roofs and green walls provide opportunities for adding greenery in places where design interventions on the ground surface are not applicable. For example, the green wall along the New Street – Moor Street link in Birmingham offers the visual relief of a green environment and the smell of fresh green vegetation along an urban space devoid of potential spaces for greenery.

Spaces containing green design elements also contribute to place making and attracting inward investment due to the positive values such as access to clean water and air, living close to nature, health benefits and boost in local economic value.

Green pockets promote physical activity, psychological wellbeing and the general health of the urban residents. They also filter air, remove pollution, attenuate noise, cool temperatures and create favourable microclimates.

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) include introduction of green elements to control storm water at the source through vegetated areas, increased tree cover, green roofs, infiltration trenches and filter drains, swales, basins, ponds and wetlands. They infiltrate storm water, and replenish ground water resources. Researches prove that increasing urban tree cover, creative management of surface and ground water, and incorporation of high performing vegetation in new building or through retrofitting can make a substantial difference to the urban green infrastructure in the face of a changing climate.

These urban green interventions, when connected together as a network within the urban fabric, form an important infrastructure for the quality of human life in the city. This infrastructure is critical to the future vitality and sustainability of our cities. A network of strategic urban green interventions/spaces will evolve to deliver a full spectrum of ecosystem services to the residents, visitors and biodiversity, and in turn positively contribute to the health and wealth of the people.

Node has been involved in providing green urban intervention strategies for many urban spaces in the UK. Please refer to our projects section for an overview of our works.