Placing Green at the Heart of the Development
In our previous blog – “Will we see tree-lined streets on all new developments?” – we highlighted the recent Planning for Future White paper – stating that all new streets should be tree-lined and all new homes to be carbon neutral by 2050. Although great news, like others within the industry, we have challenged these aspirations, asking such questions as what defines a tree-lined street? […]
Guest Blog: UBU Environmental discovers GBU!
It’s been almost 7 months since the public consultation period for PAS 115 closed and since then, we have made great progress in addressing the comments and suggestions made so that we can reach a final draft that gives end-users maximum confidence in the PAS process and its outcomes. One of the main areas where […]
Reducing the Risk – Successful tree establishment, every time!
Over the past 30 years, urban tree mortality levels have fallen dramatically, and GreenBlue Urban is proud to have been involved in this transformation. But the levels are still too high – in some boroughs, almost half the trees planted in hard surfaces fail to reach their first birthday, and far too many do not […]
Quotation to Seamless Installation
Green infrastructure is often described as a series of interconnected networks of multifunctional green space, providing multiple benefits and accommodating sustainable developments. These elements include parks, open space, trees, both street and private, playing fields, woods, private gardens, allotments and green roofs and walls. Based in the South of England, GreenBlue Urban has grown every […]
Maintenance – Who is Responsible?
One of the most frequently asked questions when planning Green Infrastructure in our urban areas is who will maintain it? And what’s the cost? Whilst maintenance-free trees and planting schemes do not exist, careful specification of the planting methodologies can reduce maintenance to a minimal level. Historical tree failures – both in terms of failed […]
Good Design Starts Below Ground
It’s all too easy when designing an urban space, to begin with, what we have at or above ground level, superimpose our new vision over this and sell the idea to the client on this basis. However, we at GreenBlue Urban believe that good design starts below ground. In our experience, the best results come […]
Multi-Functional Blue-Green Developments
The 25-year Environmental Plan (2018) and more recently The Environment Bill (2020) has been a clear driver to connect more people to our environment, improve health and well-being and to ensure we leave future generations with improved air and water quality, create richer habitats for wildlife and of course omit wasteful pollution from landfill and […]
Multi-Functional Blue-Green Developments
The 25-year Environmental Plan (2018) and more recently The Environment Bill (2020) has been a clear driver to connect more people to our environment, improve health and well-being and to ensure we leave future generations with improved air and water quality, create richer habitats for wildlife and of course omit wasteful pollution from landfill and […]
Building for a Healthy Life
Building for a Healthy Life (BHL 2020) updates England’s most widely used design tool for creating places that are better for people and nature. The document highlights a 12-point structure that reflects recent changes to legislation (NPPF) and in response to user feedback and best practice. Findings have been in collaboration with Homes England, NHS […]
Designing a 15 Minute City
Before COVID 19 and the need for working at home became essential, a ’15 minute City’ concept seemed near to impossible. Now, these barriers have been removed, the world has slowed down and multiple lockdowns have been relaxed, our hectic lives now feel less busy. Our days used to consist of long commutes and constantly […]