How can urban greening improve a town centre?
Urban greening introduces planting and green infrastructure into built-up environments, helping to make towns healthier, more attractive and better equipped to cope with climate change. Rain gardens, SuDS, community spaces and street planting are just a handful of small-seeming interventions that can have a lasting impact
How Harrow is greening its town centre
We've been working with Harrow Council over the past few years to support the borough's Climate and Nature strategy through a series of urban greening projects. Individually, each scheme delivers a specific purpose but together, they deomstrate how coordianted green infrastructure can transform the public realm.
Jasmine green screens in Harrow Town Centre
How can SuDS make streets greener?
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) don't have to be a single-purpose underground feature. They can become visible assets that improve both drainage and the streetscape,
In Harrow, we designed multifunctional SuDS planter bin stores that capture rainwater from nearby downpipes before directing it into the planter that features a diverse array of species, all while concealing refuse. The result is greener, cleaner streets that help manage surface water while supporting necessary everyday infrastructure.
How can planting improve the shopping experience?
Planting can completely change how people experience a commercial area.
At the entrance to St George's Shopping Centre, we installed a series of vibrant planters filled with seasonal planting, creating a greener, more welcoming arrival for visitors and helping soften the hard surrounding environment. Decorative planting like this can encourage visitors to spend longer in town centres which boosts local businesses while serving positive environmental benefits.
How can we create greener pedestrian and active travel routes?
Connecting destinations with greenery encourages walking while improving the quality of the public realm.
In West Harrow, new street trees and small rain gardens have been introduces as part of the borough's wider active travel and street regeneration programme to create greener residential routes. Along one of the borough's busiest pedestrian linked, 16 repurposed jasmine screens from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, now form a green corridor that connects Harrow Bus Station with the town centre, bringing planting, colour and fragrance to a route that previously contained very little greenery.
How can urban greening strengthen local communities?
Green infrastructure can also create spaces for people to meet, relax and spend time together.
We designed and installed a bespoke parklet on a previously underused corner in West Harrow. Occupying two previous parking spaces, the parklet provides accessible seating for up to 10 people, sensory planting and a flexible space for local community groups to host outdoor activities, creating a greener and more sociable destination for the neighbourhood.
These projects in Harrow demonstrate how urban greening is most effective when viewed as a connected network rather than a series of individual projects or one large landmark scheme. Integrating more subtle green features across streets, public spaces and pedestrian routes makes our town environments healthier, more resilient and better suited to both nature and people
