The environmental and social benefits of green spaces

Vegetation is an essential element in the future of housebuilding, well living really! As
architects, specifiers and planners continue to embrace passive solar building in a desire to combat our unrestrained climate crisis. Planting and vegetation always has and will become an essential element.

Plants, trees and landscaping features can provide shade and wind shelter. They can assist in storm water control and reduce erosion. Greenery can not only make your space more attractive, we know for a fact that the more the merrier! Having access to view and being amongst the colour green increases our mental and physical wellbeing.

Plants can simply fulfil different functions. For example trees with dense and persistent
leaves protect from wind. Deciduous planting is seasonal and can provide shade during the hottest months and allow winter sun when colder. Climbing plants and vines however can become a thermal protector and a sun preventer.

When designing a build, we need to consider…

• Can we access the winter sun for warmth?
• How much shade do we need?
• How can we provide shelter from strong winds to protect from erosion?
• Can we enhance the cooling breeze and harness it?
• Do we need our privacy?

Plants can be a passive design tool, essential for reducing runoff. Instead of grass verges, by planting slightly below street level with rushes and water loving plants we can slow down rainwater and protect against flooding. As floodwaters are literally on the rise, this climate disaster can threaten lives, properties, and can destroy vital infrastructure. Flood damage causes long term, costly, and disruptive effects on a local community.

Simply put, Green filter systems are floating water plants. As water flows under and through the plants, harmful substances and pathogens are reduced by the root balls and bacteria. Virtually maintenance free and economical.

Large, mature trees can reduce the volume of rainwater that hits the concrete. Trees catch water and hold it in the canopy. From there it can gradually evaporate. On average a large tree can hold 500-650 litres! Which equates to 20-40% of rainfall.

Global heating has warmed our summers by more than a degree since the 1970s. Up until 2003, the hottest day on record in the UK stood at 38.5c. In 2019 that became 38.7c and continued into 2022 with 40.3c.

Planting can help reduce this heat build up. Trees provide shade, a canopy with a lower level of shrubs can block low angled rays. During the winter the leaves will drop and allow winter sun to penetrate.

In the future our designers will use winter and summer sunset points to determine the correct and most effective placement for our planting. Selecting native plants to the area and drought-tolerant species can help conserve water and promote a healthy ecosystem, this is called Xeriscaping.

Ground cover such as gravel or mulch can reduce urban runoff and maximise infiltration. Groundwater supplies can be recharged and erosion is reduced. Rainwater features can be included to capture stormwater.

Our outdoor spaces can also be edible. Incorporating edible planting can reduce our reliance on commercial produce and create a more sustainable lifestyle. Fruit trees, berries, vegetables gardens, can provide produce for your home.

Air brought into our homes for ventilation is important. Greenery outside cools the air before it reaches us, cooler air saves energy. Plants not only cast shade and protect from sunlight but also leaves transpire moisture. Water on the leaves surface is released which cools dry air through evaporation. reducing air temperatures by up to 5c. The temperature below a tree is a huge 14c lower.

Energy efficient landscaping can support our move towards passive building design, a token gesture will not do. Vertical gardens, green roofs, and even exterior wall colour can assist in energy conservation. There is a huge bulk of evidence proving the environmental and social benefits of green spaces, it is important that these don’t get forgotten in our race to consume. If we wish to halt climate change then we have to give planting the green light.