Pioneering the ‘Shared Space’ Woonerf
In order to calm vehicular traffic movements in dense pedestrian areas, urban planners and local authorities around the world are increasingly adopting the ‘shared space’ concept developed by Dutch traffic engineer Hans Monderman. The introduction of these open space environments over recent years has changed the way our urban landscapes are designed. A central goal of the concept being to remove […]
Pavement, Trees, & The Space Between
The purpose of pavement is simple: to support traffic loads. Or so most would think… But what about the space below pavement? And what about the purpose pavement has as a base around urban trees? How can street trees be provided for underground with all the structural requirements of engineering a roadway? In this article, we discuss the […]
What To Know About Maintaining Urban Trees
Healthy, properly maintained trees do more than enhance the aesthetics of an environment. The benefits of urban trees are numerous and evident, and encompass many aspects from cleaning the air, to providing shade, to dampening noise, to increasing property value. Not to mention the sustainable element they bring to our urban infrastructures. However, despite the magnitude […]
Trees and Climate Change
Climate change is said to be the most significant environmental challenge of the century. Governments around the globe are grappling with what to do and how to mitigate the increasing threat. With COP21, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, just around the corner, cooperation of over 190 countries aims to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate. […]
How Virginia State Used Tree Plantings to Appeal to Residents
Although built infrastructure of all kind is necessary for our cities and daily lives, it often isn’t something we enjoy looking at. And as the Fairfax County residents on Stevenson Avenue faced, the prospect of a 15 foot brick wall immediately across the street from their front door wasn’t something they were particularly pleased with. But, with a little ingenuity and […]
7 Urban Tree Health Benefits You’d Hardly Believe
City life isn’t always easy, but trees are proven to have surprising effects on the physical and psychological well-being of urban populations. Scientific research outlined in this article continues to prove overwhelming evidence of the numerous health benefits and advantages that mature trees offer. In this article, we discuss the ways that urban trees improve human health, and […]
The True Value of Green Infrastructure
The City Council of Edinburgh, UK wishes to identify, measure and value the outcomes that are achieved as a direct result of the street trees and green space that are provided and maintained by the city’s Parks and Greenspace service. Highlights from Keith Logie on the impact and value of trees and green infrastructure in […]
Urban Drainage & Stormwater Management Terminology: LID, SUDS, & WSUD
Global urbanization has brought increased stormwater challenges and made the management of urban drainage systems critically important to cities around the world. Urban drainage and stormwater management practices have therefore seen considerable change over the years. While urban drainage was once seen only as a problem, the opportunities it presents in additional water supply, increased […]
Amazon Rainforest Enriched by Sahara Desert Erosion
The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose – Isaiah 35 v. 1 That man is responsible for the deserts is not disputed. After God, ‘out of the ground, made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food’ man was placed in the Garden of Eden specifically to till […]
The Importance of Urban Trees in Stormwater Management
Hiiiiiii Drainage problems arising from increasing levels of urbanization have exacerbated the limitations of conventional surface-water drainage measures. Street trees can be essential components to the management of stormwater in urban areas. Like their woodland forest equivalents, urban trees direct precipitation into the ground through trunk flow and absorb rainfall through their roots – making […]