Trees, People, and the Built Environment
There will be a urban tree research conference, taking place on April 2-3 in Birmingham. Three renowned experts in architecture, planning, urban ecology and sustainability will address over 400 delegates at the two-day conference. They will deliver the message that improvements to green infrastructure in cities and towns, and thus the lives of those living […]
Trees for Cities
It is widely thought that tree cover in urban areas is in decline, this is due to increasing threat from development, the effects of climate change and the stresses of survival in heavily populated areas. Trees for cities’ projects are the key benefit to support biodiversity in cities and towns. They aim to monitor trees […]
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
The process of urbanisation alters the thermal balance of an area resulting in an urban heat island effect where cities can be several degrees centigrade warmer than the surrounding rural landscape. This increased heat can make cities uncomfortable places and, during heat waves, can pose serious health risks. This study looked at the role that […]
Urban Air Quality
Rossa Donovan, environmental scientist for international consultancy WYG, has discovered a variety of trees that can improve urban air quality. The investigation was carried out using model scenarios to develop an Urban Tree Air Quality Score this was a applicable to all urban areas of the UK and other mid-latitude, temperate climate zones with common […]
How Trees Combat Temperature Rises in Cities
The vital role of urban trees in helping to lower temperatures in cities is described in a new publication by scientists from Forest Research, the research agency of the Forestry Commission. Built up urban environments can be as much as 9°C warmer than the surrounding area with buildings, road traffic and human activities all contributing […]
Quality Soils = Healthy Trees
It is now widely accepted by green building professionals that healthy trees play a significant role in successful green infrastructure systems in urban environments. Trees provide a wide range of benefits to society at-large and to the urban dweller in particular. Healthy trees reduce the urban heat island effect, help manage stormwater, reduce air pollution, […]
World’s Strongest Soil Cell
The GreenBlue modular StrataCell system is fast becoming the favoured suspended pavement system for tree pits in urban development projects – not only in Pacific region, but also in several countries around the world. And for several good reasons. StrataCells are structural soil cells that come in modular units, which can then be assembled to form a skeletal matrix […]
How Trees Increase Retail Sales
The importance of having trees in retail areas has been studied by the University of Washington (Wolf, 2005) which investigated the associations between trees and people’s response to shopping settings. The studies found that shoppers respond positively to trees in shopping areas, and that providing trees is an important investment for a retail community. The […]
With or Without Trees…
Famous landscape paintings have been recreated without trees by an Edinburgh University scientist to draw attention to the value of woods and forests. Dr Iain Woodhouse removed trees from Constable’s The Haywain, Seurat’s Sunday afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte, and Van Gogh’s Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun. He hopes his work […]
Trees Make Places Friendly
Trees make places work, look and feel better. As well as playing a role in climate management our neighbourhoods and supporting human health and environmental well-being, trees can also help to create conditions for economic sustainability and success. Lambeth in London offers a direct example of how trees have been implemented to create these exact […]