Urban Design Collective (UDC)’s Post

"Heat Islanding: Urban Hotspots in the Concrete Jungle Heat islanding refers to localized areas within cities or urban environments that experience significantly higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas due to human activities and the built environment. This phenomenon is caused by the absorption and retention of heat by buildings, roads, and other surfaces, along with limited greenery and vegetation. Heat islanding can lead to various environmental and health issues, including increased energy consumption, air pollution, and heat-related illnesses. #heatislanding #sustainability #environmentalengineering #greenbuilding #architecture #engineers #civilengineering #mechanicalengineering #chemicalengineering #construction #civilconstruction #engenharia #engenhariacivil

Living Breakwaters, enlists oysters as co-designers and natural builders in this climate change adaptation and resilience project by Kate Orff, landscape architect and winner of the 2023 Obel Award. As a response to the damage done to Staten Island in New York by super storm Sandy, living breakwaters puts forward a drastically different concept of adaptation in the built environment. They are called "living breakwaters” because they are designed to be colonised by oysters. As the oysters grow, they continue to build the breakwater structure making it ever more storm resilient.   An engineering solution might have been to build a seawall on the beach as a defence. The living breakwaters however, are out in the bay. It’s because Kate and her large interdisciplinary team of collaborators weren’t just thinking about property protection. >> They were also thinking about our non-human kin, like the ancient Horseshoe Crabs on the IUCN red list of threatened species.  Every year in late spring, they emerge from deep water and rely on very gently sloping sandy beaches to mate and breed. They can’t get over sea walls.   >> They were thinking about restoring the previously flourishing marine habitat and ecosystems in the bay. The breakwaters are designed with multiple layers of underwater reefs and intertidal habitat for the local coastal ecosystem to flourish in. Providing homes for oysters, a host of fin fish and seals. https://lnkd.in/eQnQWhsq >> They were thinking about building back the sandy beaches along the bay that have been slowly lost to coastal erosion. The intermittent placement of the breakwaters was “Informed by extensive hydrodynamic modelling...to also slow and, eventually, reverse decades of beach erosion along the shoreline”. >> And lastly they were thinking about social resilience.  By engaging with community to participate, it helps them to see value in nature, and nature based solutions.  This included educational programs for local schools in partnership with the Billion Oyster Project. Late last year I had the privilege to attend a presentation by Kate Orff at the University of Technology in Sydney. I was very keen to hear her talk, as her work is at the intersection of climate, art and science.   She came across as an absolute powerhouse. I can see why TIME magazine listed her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2023.  At the talk, someone asked a petty question about the rocks not being sourced locally. She came back with a polite, but very robust answer that put the climate change emergency at the heart of that particular decision. https://lnkd.in/eb4dxJS5 With climate change rapidly impacting our lives we need to be working with nature and not against her. The only planet we have, needs landscape architects like Kate like no other time. #landscapearchitecture #naturebasedsolutions #iwd2024womenleadingtheway SCAPE Landscape Architecture DPC https://lnkd.in/etBiF3sc

Last year, Clúid launched a new "Landscaping and Biodiversity Guide for New Developments". The biodiversity actions detailed in the guide were developed by Clúid's National Sustainability Manager and in-house Landscape Designer and are endorsed by the team responsible for the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. The purpose of this guide is to provide developers, landscape designers, horticulturists and other relevant stakeholders with the necessary information required to design and plant public and communal open spaces in Clúid developments to protect and enhance biodiversity. View the guide now at https://lnkd.in/eYN5873 Ingrid Swan, Clúid’s in-house Landscape Designer, commented, "If you have ever walked through a new housing development, you may have noticed the total absence of bird song. The lack of nesting or foraging areas has meant that they have abandoned the area during construction. "Our new Landscaping and Biodiversity Guide hopes to address this absence of flora and fauna from our developments and encourage wildlife to quickly return by providing an attractive habitat, retaining wildlife corridors and preserving soil quality." Read more at https://lnkd.in/eAvnT4Xs #Clúid #leadingthewayhome #sustainability #design #landscaping #landscapearchitecture #biodiversity #allirelandpolinatorplan #housing #housingforall National Biodiversity Data Centre

Biodiversity Net Gain is now mandatory under The Environment Act. In urban environments ecological communities and habitats are evolving to become similar over time leading to a loss in biodiversity, BNG aims to reverse this trend and halt species decline by 2030. This is a key challenge for clients. GRID Architects believes that this issue needs to be considered from an early stage. It’s hard to achieve the 10% improvement when it is left to the end of the planning process.  At GRID we address BNG at site planning stage before clients have even engaged ecologists and landscape architects. Our Brook House project is a small and complex site (0.19ha), and yet we achieved double the minimum 10% net gain improvement. This was driven by a desire, not simply to tick a planning box, but to create a natural and regenerative landscape for the future residents of the development. We took a previous proposal for the site and halved its footprint to avoid a sewer crossing the site, and to retain more existing trees. Our solution was a taller building, generating a better (and cheaper) solution for the site where over half the site area was set aside for landscape gardens. The biodiversity of the site was further developed working in collaboration with ecologists from Greengage Environmental Ltd and Landscape design by LUC incorporating native species and varied habitats in both vertical and horizontal layers with an aim to connect fragmented ecological networks in the area. We see the Mandatory BNG requirement as an opportunity to create better developments with more integrated landscape design…. if thought about early enough. L&Q Women's Pioneer Housing #ecologist #landscapearchitecture Drawing below by LUC

Salix babylonica A Symbol of Resilience and Conservation The Weeping Willow is a majestic tree that has captured the hearts of many with its delicate, drooping branches and its ability to thrive in even the most challenging environments. This iconic tree has been a staple of many landscapes, from ancient riverbanks to modern urban spaces, and its unique traits have made it a vital part of our ecosystem. As a pioneer species, it is often one of the first trees to colonize disturbed or degraded areas, such as floodplains, wetlands, and riverbanks. By doing so, it helps to stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and create habitats for other species. In recent years, the Weeping Willow has become a symbol of resilience and conservation. As our planet faces the challenges of climate change, deforestation, and habitat destruction, this tree's ability to thrive in adversity has inspired a new generation of conservationists. The Weeping Willow's flexible stems and ability to tolerate water, make it an ideal candidate for wetland restoration projects. By planting Weeping Willows in these areas, we can help to stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and create habitats for other species. It's natural beauty has inspired countless artists, writers, and photographers throughout history. Its unique shape and stature have made it a popular subject in landscape painting, and its presence in literature has been immortalized in countless works of poetry and prose. While the Weeping Willow's natural habitats are often found in rural areas, it is also a popular choice for urban landscapes. Its ability to thrive in poor soil and withstand pollution makes it an ideal candidate for urban planting projects. In cities around the world, Weeping Willows are often used as ornamental trees, providing shade and beauty to urban spaces. The Weeping Willow has also played a significant role in human culture throughout history. In ancient China, the tree was seen as a symbol of mourning and sorrow, while in Japan, it was believed to have spiritual significance. In many Western cultures, the tree is often associated with memories of childhood and nostalgia for a simpler time. The Weeping Willow is a true marvel of nature, with its unique traits making it a vital part of our ecosystem. Its conservation connection is crucial for maintaining the health and diversity of our ecosystems, and its natural preservation is essential for preserving the beauty and wonder of our world. As we face the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, the Weeping Willow serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and conservation. Its presence in urban landscapes reminds us of the importance of preserving natural beauty in our increasingly urbanized world.

What a great way to finish #landscapearchitecturemonth - a fabulous read written by one of our senior landscape architects Elizabeth Malone. Her article explores the challenges the Common beech faces and potential solutions on offer to help safeguard these trees and our precious woodland. #landscapeled #nature #ecology #landscapearchitect

New in our series today: American conservation has traditionally focused on our unique wild landscapes, but the majority of Americans live in metropolitan areas now. How can we serve the growing need for urban green spaces? Micro Forests, based on a design by Japanese landscape architect and botanist Akira Miyawaki, bring the essential water, air, and biodiversity benefits of forests into the city — as well as nearly instantaneous beauty in areas with little green space. Read the essay from PLAN it WILD's Bram Gunther and Jeff Rothfeder: https://refore.st/3UR2zGh

What is BGI and what role does it play in urban regeneration?     NCE spoke to Aaron Grainger from our Biodiversity and Ecology team about the challenges and opportunities it brings.     This includes:  - Carbon reduction  - Flood risk mitigation  - Enhancing biodiversity and restoring natural habitats  - Improved wellbeing     Read the article here https://buro.im/3TPPygI #BGI #urbanregeneration #sustainability #ecology #biodiversity

An article by Greg Weykamp illustrates the importance and various strategies of designing marinas with habitat in mind. https://lnkd.in/gFaw944d

Harmony in Urban Ecology: The Rise of Blue-Green Networks Read Full Article>https://ow.ly/ux7a50QG3YW Urbanization has brought unprecedented growth and prosperity to cities worldwide, but it has also brought significant challenges, particularly concerning environmental sustainability. #urbanplanning #urbandesign #construction #landscapearchitecture #interior