FAQs

Public Realm FAQs

How does investing in public realm greening benefit local businesses and town centres?

Attractive, well-designed public spaces draw more footfall, encourage people to spend time longer and create destinations that support local businesses. Greener town centres are more welcoming and are proven to increase visitor numbers and dwell time.

How does public realm greening improve mental health and wellbeing?

Access to green space has benefits for mental health, reducing stress and encouraging outdoor activity and social interaction. Greener public spaces give communities somewhere to rest, connect and spend time in nature.

How do you make public realm spaces interactive and engaging?

We design spaces with the surrounding communities in mind, incorporating features like stepping logs, stepping stones, gabion seating, educational signage and habitat accessories that encourage interaction, play and learning.

What structural features can you add to a public realm scheme?

We can add boulders, elevated tree pits and other structural elements to introduce texture and visual interest to a scheme.

What urban greening accessories and add-ons do you offer for public realm schemes?

We offer a range of urban greening add-ons designed to make green spaces more interesting, interactive and educational. These include biodiversity features like bug hotels, bird boxes, habi-stacks and bee posts, structural features like boulders and elevated tree pits, and access features like gabion benches, stepping logs and stepping stones.

How do rain gardens contribute to public realm improvement?

Rain gardens manage surface water runoff while adding greenery and biodiversity to streets and public spaces. They improve the look of urban areas, support pollinators, and help towns and cities become more resilient to flooding.

What is public realm design and how does it differ from general landscaping?

Public realm design focuses on shared outdoor spaces like streets, squares, and parks that are accessible to everyone. Unlike general landscaping, it’s about creating spaces that work for whole communities, balancing aesthetics, function, accessibility, and resilience.

What public realm services does Meristem Design offer?

We offer a full range of public realm greening services including rain gardens, SuDS planters, parklets, green screens, living walls, mobility hubs, and bespoke planting schemes, from initial green audit through to installation and long-term maintenance.

What is public realm?

A public realm refers to the spaces that surrounding buildings in which people can move through, gather and spend time. E.g streets, plazas, squares and parks

How can urban greening improve public health?

Green spaces reduce stress and improve air quality. Products such as parklets and pocket parks help promote physical activity and active travel, making them valuable solutions for community health initiatives.