Why Integrate Trees?
It is noticeable that the most successful developments have a green infrastructure at the core of the design; whether residential, commercial or retail, designers have long known that the provision of planting and trees can hugely enhance the built environment. However, too often the landscape element is designed and installed last, and planting is fitted in […]
Enabling you to Build Green Cities
With everyday life very much behind closed doors with the instruction of homebound living, construction on building sites is currently still operating albeit there is an underlying concern for how long? The safety for all is paramount and no doubt precautions are being taken however the need for the completion of projects is down to […]
How to Design for Biodiversity
It was a pleasure again to visit Palestra – the illustrious venue of TfL and Urban Design London. The seminar was led by Samantha Davenport of the Greater London Authority, detailing the importance of Urban Greening for the capital in order to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain. Her presentation detailed the fact that London is in […]
Supporting Myerscough, Arbor Day & Future Flora
Many thanks to Dr Duncan Slater for a very enjoyable Arbor Day at Myerscough College and for the privilege of being able to provide a presentation on the successful GreenBlue urban planting schemes over the years. Speakers included Paul Nolan of Mersey Forest, Glyn Levis of Trees for Cities, Sharon Durdant-Hollamby of Institute of Chartered […]
Finally…The Environment Bill
Here at GreenBlue Urban we applaud the Governments Environmental Bill; taking responsibility of our country for future generations is vital if they are to inherit England’s green and pleasant land. The inclusion of biodiversity net gain legislation will make a huge impact on the lives of those who live play and work in new developments […]
Trees as Elements for Stormwater Management
Stormwater management in inner cities has become an increasing issue in recent times, traditionally relying on grey infrastructure wastewater collection systems. Combined sewers systems carry both stormwater and wastewater from residential, commercial and industrial sources and are often of older design and inadequate for current levels of inner-city development. Combined sewer overflows are frequent and […]
Creating Long Term Biodiversity through the Planning System
As our urban and peri-urban areas become more congested, our bio-diversity becomes increasingly degraded; in fact, apart from our ancient woodlands, there would be few zones where biodiversity is at a level that it was before the Industrial Revolution. But does this matter? And if it does, what can we do about it? The major […]
Our Roadshow Travels to London
It was a pleasure to hold our latest Roadshow in the iconic grounds of the existing BBC TV at London’s White City, the fifth in our series in 2019. Held at the “Cool” White City House the event focused on Biodiversity, SUDs and the Highway. We all know the impact our transport infrastructure on the […]
Introducing Cool Towns
Readers may remember that GreenBlue Urban have been fortunate enough to work on two European funded projects – Water Resilient Cities and Cool Towns. The Cool Towns project is reaching an exciting phase with project partners discussing the design and planning of their green infrastructure interventions, including the methods that will be utilised to monitor […]
Making Urban Trees Great Again!
In the consideration of what it actually means to be ‘great’, we should look at what it requires to accomplish equitable and sustainable cities for all. We applaud sportsmen and women and the heroes of ancient mythology for greatness but surely we can achieve greatness without recourse to tribalism, factionalism or exclusionary agendas. It is […]