Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates’ Post

🌿A study by the University of Surrey reveals that botanical gardens, parks, and wetlands can reduce city temperatures by up to 5°C during heatwaves, offering significant cooling effects alongside environmental benefits like carbon emission reduction and flood prevention. 🌼This analysis underscores the importance of integrating green spaces and waterways into urban planning to mitigate heat and enhance urban sustainability. 💡Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eBwKj_Uh

Recognizing Earth Day ~ the greenest building is the one already built. 🌎♻️🌱 Historic preservation is a leader in sustainable practices. Repurposing historic buildings creates significantly less "embodied energy" when compared to the energy costs needed to create new construction. As noted by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, "reinvestment in historic districts and communities also promotes reuse of existing infrastructure and supports areas that generally are walkable and have good transit access options." In line with other conservation initiatives, reusing our existing historic built environment can play a key role in sustaining a healthy planet. For more information, please see: “The Greenest Building: Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse,” (Washington, D.C.: Preservation Green Lab, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2011). Photo courtesy of National Trust for Historic Preservation.

🌇Reimagine our City! 🙏🏽“You don’t motivate with fear. You motivate with hope.” 🎤This month’s Let’s Build workshop brought together professionals across the built environment to talk about climate change. Here are some headlines: - 🚗Valentina Galmozzi called for more green spaces and porous materials in our concrete jungles, not only for flood mitigation but also as a necessary cooling mechanism. - 🌱Antoinette Yetunde Oni argued that architecture and nature should be working together instead of competing with each other – showing us how it can be done through regenerative design and material innovation. - 📐Pareisse Wilson reminded us that inclusive design is not just about creating accessible spaces for people, but it’s also a key consideration to prevent costly and wasteful retrofit later down the line. - 💡Kossy Nnachetta gave us five reasons for hope, including the increasingly tenacious clients fighting for sustainable design in their projects. “Persuadable Conservation Officers” was a good one too! - 🌡️Chiara Cozzolino spoke on overheating and the associated health risks, emphasising that adaptive design across residential, commercial and public spaces is essential. - 🌊Oluwafunmbi Adeagbo shared case studies of coastal erosion from Nigeria, highlighting our responsibility to learn from global best practice and mistakes. ➡️Who is inspiring change in your industry? Join us at Let's Build for the next event on October 10th to hear more on climate change and the built environment!

Who doesn’t love local parks and preserves? Whether or not you consider yourself a nature enthusiast, nobody can deny the aesthetic appeal and feelings of rejuvenation that we get from nature compared to the concrete jungle. But green infrastructure gives us more than just enjoyment, it turns out nature provides some of the most effective solutions to many of the infrastructural challenges that our communities face. You can use green infrastructure in your own yard to help us improve water quality and reduce water pollution by incorporating rain barrels, rain gardens, bioswales and more. To learn more, check out this article from Save The Great South Bay https://lnkd.in/exti9YVE

In November 2023, a significant change took place as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) were officially renamed as National Landscapes. This decision was made based on the recommendations put forth by an independent review of protected landscapes, known as the Landscape/Glover Review, which was commissioned by the Government back in 2019. The review concluded that AONBs should undergo a rebranding process and be fortified with new purposes, powers, and resources in order to align them more closely with the National Parks. The adoption of the new name not only emphasizes the national significance of these areas but also acknowledges their multifaceted contributions that go beyond their natural beauty. Now, these landscapes are being recognized for their vital role in climate change adaptation, including carbon storage to mitigate its effects, safeguarding against droughts and floods, restoring depleted wildlife populations, and promoting the health and well-being of individuals by encouraging outdoor activities. Meanwhile, they continue to support local communities, contribute to food production, and enhance historical environments.

Cover up to 50% of Paris with tree canopy? Now, that's a goal we can get behind. "Plans to cover up to half of Paris with an “urban forest” took a step forward this week, when the city began the planting of a 478-tree micro-woodland in a busy square. The Place de Catalogne in the city’s south was planted with oaks, ashes, maples and cherries — some saplings, others semi-mature — as a first major action on a commitment to reduce summer heat, increase flood resilience and combat carbon emissions by greening the city. By 2030, Paris hopes to have 50% of its ground area covered by water permeable surfaces, including green roofs, avenues, mini-gardens and new parks, one of which should be open within 12 months. The percentage was 29.6% in 2013 and 32% in 2020." https://lnkd.in/gZfKg2ji

In the face of rapid urbanization and environmental challenges, communities around the world are increasingly turning to green infrastructure as a solution to improve their communities. Green infrastructure refers to a network of natural and semi-natural solutions that provide a wide range of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Here, we explore how green infrastructure transforms public outdoor spaces and the benefits it offers. Check out our blog article to learn more.

One of the ways we unlock the full potential of land opportunities is by leveraging urban growth boundaries. By selecting sites that directly align with existing plans for land preservation and sustainable growth, the communities we develop are underpinned with lasting value from day one. 

In November 2023, a significant change took place as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) were officially renamed as National Landscapes. This decision was made based on the recommendations put forth by an independent review of protected landscapes, known as the Landscape/Glover Review, which was commissioned by the Government back in 2019. The review concluded that AONBs should undergo a rebranding process and be fortified with new purposes, powers, and resources in order to align them more closely with the National Parks. The adoption of the new name not only emphasizes the national significance of these areas but also acknowledges their multifaceted contributions that go beyond their natural beauty. Now, these landscapes are being recognized for their vital role in climate change adaptation, including carbon storage to mitigate its effects, safeguarding against droughts and floods, restoring depleted wildlife populations, and promoting the health and well-being of individuals by encouraging outdoor activities. Meanwhile, they continue to support local communities, contribute to food production, and enhance historical environments.

The rapid pace of urbanisation presents a formidable challenge to municipalities worldwide, fundamentally altering natural water cycles and putting immense pressure on existing stormwater management systems. In the quest for sustainable urban development, effective stormwater management is key. As we navigate the complexities of urban growth and climate change, the need for innovative, holistic, eco-friendly solutions to manage stormwater has never been more apparent. At Pipe Doctor, we're at the forefront of this challenge, committed to delivering top-tier, environmentally responsible services tailored to the unique needs of municipalities. Our approach combines cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of the individual needs of municipalities, ensuring that every solution we provide is effective and sustainable. Learn more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gcaGa4sG