Meristem’s tips on urban greening, office planting, parklets, living walls, plants and biophilia
Discover how AquaPlanter® is changing the game in urban water management with its innovative design and award-winning performance. Learn how our award-winning planters mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and contribute to greener, more resilient cities. Perfect for architects, local governments, and educational institutions, discover how AquaPlanter® is paving the way towards smarter, greener urban landscapes.
Explore our award-winning SuDS planters revolutionising stormwater management. Recognised with the Flood & Coast Award, our planters are the cornerstone of innovative climate resilience strategies. Made in London, they feature cutting-edge Hydrorock technology for superior water retention, making them ideal for urban environments.
Green infrastructure is not just about transforming spaces; it's about transforming lives and communities. By integrating nature into urban planning, we can create healthier, happier, and more resilient cities. The future of urban greening is bright, and with continued innovation and commitment, we can ensure a sustainable future for all.
In the face of a rapidly changing climate, urban planners and environmentalists are turning to innovative strategies to ensure our cities remain livable, sustainable, and resilient. One of the most promising approaches emerging from this intersection of urban planning and environmental science is the integration of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) into the design and structure of our streets. But what makes NbS so powerful, and how can they transform our urban landscapes into climate-resilient havens?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an innovative approach to conservation and development, aiming to leave nature in a better state than before any development activity. At its core, BNG ensures that when habitats are adversely affected, greater benefits for biodiversity are delivered in compensation. This not only safeguards our delicate ecosystems but fosters a harmonious balance between progress and preservation. As urban landscapes continue to expand, embracing BNG becomes crucial for a sustainable future, where both humanity and nature thrive side by side.
Bioswales aren't just another landscaping trend: they're a beacon of hope in our urban jungles. Bridging the gap between aesthetics and functionality, these green channels offer a sustainable approach to managing stormwater. In a world grappling with climate change and rapid urbanisation, understanding the magic of bioswales could be the key to crafting resilient cities. Explore the transformative power of bioswales in today's urban landscapes.
Discover the transformative world of green infrastructure planning with Meristem Design. From stunning living walls to innovative rain gardens and biodiverse green roofs, our projects showcase the power of nature-based solutions in enhancing urban spaces. Explore the benefits of biophilic design, the magic of rain garden SuDS planters, and the allure of parklets that invigorate public spaces.
Air pollution is rapidly emerging as a critical environmental health issue, prompting the public to become more aware of its dangers. Discover how urban greening, including parklets, greenery, and plants, can contribute to improving London's air quality. Explore the benefits of trees, living walls, and rain gardens, and learn about the role of biophilia and green infrastructure in creating a healthier and more sustainable city.
Discover the top 8 air-purifying house plants that can transform your indoor space into a healthier and more vibrant environment. Learn how these plants remove toxins and pollutants, improve air quality, and enhance your overall well-being.
Ready to have clean fresh air flowing through your home or office? Here's a list of 8 plants that are perfect to help purify the air.
The Urban Greening Factor (UGF) originates from Berlin and has been adapted and adopted in several European and North American cities. A planning policy tool evaluates the quantity and quality of urban greening provided by a development proposal [6]. The UGF aims to accelerate the greening of urban areas and ensures well planned and high-quality interventions that add to a multi-functional green infrastructure network. This policy means green infrastructure is considered at the start of the design and planning process for new developments and buildings[7]. The UGF is set out in Policy G5 of the New London Plan and provides a simple way for Local Planning Authorities to score green infrastructure interventions[8].
Green infrastructure can be defined as the natural vegetative systems and green technologies that collectively provide the community with a multitude of environmental, economic, health, and social benefits. This includes: Rain gardens, SuDS, Bioswales, Green roofs, green walls, Urban forests and woodlots.
Health and wellness have grown increasingly important in the business world. People who are healthy and satisfied with their workplace performance are more productive, open to collaboration, and able to innovate in ways that will benefit the company. Research from Gallup has found that highly involved, content employees have a 21% increase in productivity and take 37% fewer sick days. Therefore, how can organizations ensure their employees are both content and healthy?
Children and nature have always been connected, however with increased urbanisation, many children around the world are increasingly growing up without experiencing what nature is and how it works. This leaves them without the possibility to understand why nature is so valuable. This causes a need for change in schooling not only in the UK, but around the world.
Living walls are a beautiful addition to any space and can be found all around the world. They have become popular with architects, designers and decorating enthusiasts for the enormous potential it offers in terms of interior or exterior spaces. Green walls offer numerous health and wellness benefits, from stunning aesthetics to environmental sustainability. Below we've listed our picks of the best living walls from around the globe. You might be inspired by them to create your own!
Plants in offices and work spaces increase happiness and productivity. Plants are an essential part of a work space setup, especially for those working at home. Adding plants to your work space has a number of benefits including reduced stress and improved productivity, improved air quality and reduced noise levels.
Green roofs or also commonly known as living roofs, are becoming more and more popular in the urban environment. This is due to their economic and environmental benefits, as well as the added bonus of creating a garden space for properties with little outdoor area. Land is a valuable asset in cities and is commonly utilised to its maximum capacity.
The Parlour Palm tree is ideal for indoors because it is easy to look after, grows very slowly and thrives in low light. In addition it has strong air purifying properties that remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air, making them a great choice for anyone who wants to improve the indoor air quality of their home.
A series of strategically positioned planters can be used to divide spaces, create walkways and control traffic flow. Planters can be installed in a wide range of locations, to bring vibrancy and life to dull spaces.
Custom made planters can also be used to generate and define appealing customer spaces for businesses which is a simple way to introduce greenery to any landscape.
It is hard to ignore the signs. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and are having a greater impact on our lives. Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin in February 2022 caused devastation to communities across the UK. As a result of the extreme weather conditions, London was issued with a rare ‘Red Weather Warning’ by the Met office, and people were told to prepare for potential flooding[1].
As increasing numbers of people move to urban areas combined with the widespread use of impermeable surfaces such as concrete for pavements, driveways, and roads; as well as a lack of greenery and vegetation, communities are more vulnerable to flooding. Almost a quarter of London constitutes gardens, but this is disappearing under paving slabs, decking and concrete. We are losing gardens at the rate of an area two and a half times the size of Hyde Park every year[2]. This is not sustainable and exacerbates flooding.
So what can we do to make our towns and cities better protected from flooding? SuDS are one solution.
Our high streets are struggling to compete with online retailers and the change in buyers shopping habits.
What can we do to help entice people to visit our high streets?
Greenery! Healthy streets help get people outdoors and down the high streets. Additionally, reducing cars by having more pedestrianised areas.
