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Public Realm

Transforming urban spaces with green infrastructure

Transforming urban spaces

At Meristem Design, we help create greener, healthier and more vibrant public spaces, from flood-reducing rain gardens through to interactive pocket parks. 

Following our mission of 'Turning the grey green', our team tailors each green space to local needs, including climate resilience, informal play, tree planting, public seating and signage. 

We work with local authorities, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), housing associations, developers and community organisations to deliver public realm projects that benefit residents, visitors and local wildlife alike.

Designed for the benefit of communities and visitors, the addition of green infrastructure in the public realm helps boost biodiversity, improve wellbeing and create welcoming destinations from previously underused spaces.

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Designed for communities

Successful public spaces are designed around the people who use them.

We work closely with local authorities, community groups, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and other stakeholders to create welcoming green spaces that encourage people to spend more time outdoors and connect with their surroundings.

From colourful planting and public seating to informal play features and educational signage, our schemes are designed to support community wellbeing, social interaction and a stronger sense of place.

Whether revitalising a town centre, enhancing a housing estate or transforming an underused urban space, we create landscapes that are accessible, inclusive and valued by local communities.

 

Urban greening add-ons

At Meristem, we build and install engaging urban greening accessories and extras, designed to make green spaces more interesting, interactive and educational. Each has been created to integrate seamlessly with rain gardens, nature gardens, pocket parks and other landscapes.

Our products include:

Biodiversity and Habitat features - includes bug hotels, bird boxes, habi-stacks, bee posts and more.

Structural features - such as boulders and elevated tree pits to add texture, definition and visual interest. 

Access and movement features - encourage interaction through gabion benches, stepping logs and stepping stones. 

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Climate resilience in the public realm

As our towns and cities face increasing pressure from climate change, green infrastructure plays an important role in creating more resilient public spaces.

Our public realm projects integrate sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), rain gardens, tree planting and climate-adapted planting schemes to help manage surface water, reduce urban heat and support biodiversity.

By combining practical environmental solutions with attractive landscape design, we can help you create spaces that not only look great today but continue to deliver benefits for years to come.

Benefits

Investing in urban greening creates lasting benefits for people, places and the environment. From improving climate resilience and biodiversity to enhancing wellbeing and strengthening local identity, well-designed public spaces help communities thrive while creating more attractive and sustainable urban environments.

Reduce Flood Risk

Rain gardens, SuDS features and climate-resilient planting help manage surface water and reduce localised flooding.

Support Biodiversity

Native and pollinator-friendly planting, habitat features and trees create valuable spaces for wildlife in urban areas.

Improve Health & Wellbeing

Greener environments encourage outdoor activity, social interaction and provide proven mental wellbeing benefits.

Creates Better Public Places

High-quality public spaces increase civic pride, enhance local character and make town centres, streets and neighbourhoods more attractive destinations.

Local authorities

We partner with local authorities to deliver greener, more resilient public spaces that support biodiversity, reduce flood risk and enhance community wellbeing. From town centre improvements to streetscape greening and SuDS installations, our projects help councils meet environmental and placemaking objectives.

BIDs

We help BIDs create attractive, welcoming destinations that encourage footfall, support local businesses and improve visitor experience. Through planting schemes, parklets, rain gardens and seasonal displays, we transform underused spaces into vibrant places people want to spend time in.

Commercial

We work with developers, landlords and businesses to integrate green infrastructure into commercial spaces. From public-facing landscapes and entrance areas to mixed-use developments, our schemes enhance biodiversity, support sustainability goals and create more attractive places for people to work, visit and enjoy.
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm
Public Realm