GreenBlue Urban Ltd

The Goldhawk Road scheme is the flagship demonstration of their commitment to the adoption of innovative and enlightened developments in environmental welfare. In the years ahead they, and their local residents will be reaping the benefits of this integrated up-grade of a heavily used transport artery. The scheme designers have achieved improved traffic efficiency and safety plus a much more attractive public realm environment. The planting of trees will contribute to the absorption of pollutants and carbon as well as softening the visual aspects of urban streets.

The London Borough of Hackney has established a reputation for proactive and innovative upgrading of its street environment. The advent of the Central London Congestion Charging Zone radically changed the traffic pattern in Leonard Circus, London, EC2. Pedestrian and cycling traffic have dramatically increased following the significant reduction in motor traffic. In order to facilitate the new traffic pattern and also to calm vehicular movements the ‘shared space’ system pioneered by the Dutch traffic engineer, Hans Monderman, developed in the UK by Stephen O’Malley. The result is regulated and calmed traffic conditions plus a greener and more attractive environment.

Newtown Town Council and Powys County Council secured significant funding from the Welsh Government to undertake a major project that would see the centre of Newtown enhanced by a range of exciting measures to make the town Greener.The project’s implementation kicked off in February 2022, leveraging GreenBlue Products, with specifiers WSP leading the design and Travis Perkins overseeing the order. Specifically, using RootSpace G2 and ArborCell, – a load-bearing layer for additional attenuation. The HydroPlanter Max and Flex from the GreenBlue product range were instrumental in achieving the SuDS element for this project. Guying, Root Management and additional aeration were essential for the tree planting. Supported by Rootspace G2, crafted from 100% recycled polypropylene, addresses the needs of green infrastructure by providing ample soil volume for robust plant root systems. The HydroPlanter Max rain garden system is a bespoke option for sustainable drainage, boasting an integrated exceedance chamber for overflow management and maintenance in a rain garden scenario.A comprehensive public consultation involving residents and local business owners ensured that the community’s voice was heard in the redevelopment plans, fostering a sense of ownership and enthusiastic support for the project. The Growing Newtown initiative has encompassed green spaces and upgraded drainage, all contributing to the holistic revitalisation of the Newtown High Street vicinity.

The Northwood Hills project received £1.3 million investment from the GLA and £461,000 match funding from Hillingdon Council. The scheme included a series of improvements to roads and transportation arrangements. Joel Street has been resurfaced and the parking bays redesigned to allow safer entry and exit onto the high street. A new central boulevard has been introduced which allows for safer crossing and it has been planted with 35 carpinus betulus frans fontain trees to provide an attractive feature. GBU were pleased to provide a package to include StrataCells 30, Arborvents, RootDirectors, Geonet, Deadman AnchorSystems, & Precast Arboresin.

Runcorn Station Quarter is a series of transformational projects that will together achieve improved connectivity across Runcorn, Halton and the wider Liverpool City Region. A significant milestone has been reached in the development of Runcorn Station Quarter and the results speak for themselves. Halton Borough Council: Led the redevelopment initiative and partnered with various stakeholders.Civils & Lentils Warrington: Collaborated on addressing utility infrastructure and improving functionality.Balfour Beatty: Executed the construction aspects of the redevelopment as Main ContractorsMott MacDonald: Provided engineering design expertise for major infrastructure reconfigurations and the station piazza.WSP in the UK: Surface water drainage design.Runcorn Train Sation has embraced sustainability initiatives, including automated ticketing systems, digital displays for train schedules, energy-efficient lighting and an innovative approach to urban greening using Rootspace G2 recycled tree pits within the hard paved areas.The careful selection of products with meticulous attention to best practice planting methods and ‘Made in Britain’ certification aimed to prevent pavement upheaval, allowing the trees to attain maximum canopy cover without compromising the integrity of the surrounding infrastructure. The Rootspace load-bearing modular cells, combined with GreenBlue’s Arborsoil Hydro, create an environment with uncompacted soil beneath the surface.Incorporating ancillary items such as Arborvents and Castle Tree Grilles further enhances the overall ecosystem for the planted trees. These elements not only facilitate essential airflow but also provide a visually appealing touch above ground.The Freemans Maple and Himalayan Birch Tree species were chosen for the piazza, along with ornamental planting, adding a touch of natural beauty to the space. The community is expected to take pride in the newly created public space, fostering a sense of ownership and connection to the station.Learning outcomes:• This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of a collaborative approach involving public and private entities.• Working in the initial design phases to map and plan the utilities on site, allowing these utilities to flow seamlessly through the Rootspace soil cell system.Runcorn Train Station’s redevelopment showcases a successful collaboration between public and private entities to create a modern efficient, and sustainable transportation hub. The project not only improves the functionality of the station but also contributes to the broader regeneration goals of the scheme. Download our Tree Species Guide today, to ensure the species you are planting has the correct soil volume beneath ground to reach its full potential and enhance your project.

Central to the Green Avenues plan was Sauchiehall Street a showcase on how green infrastructure can be used to change human behaviour by challenging the dominance of vehicles in the public realm. Twenty eight specimen trees have been planted in full GreenBlue Urban ArborSystems, providing a strong visual segregation between vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists. The tree pits are linked together, providing maximum rooting space in uncompacted aerated soil, giving the trees the best opportunity of attaining species potential. As well as the aesthetic attractiveness, these trees also provide a measure of pollution absorbance, and help cope with stormwater management

To maximise the value of the tree planting,the pits were used as storm water attenuation and treatment pits, taking water from the carriageway, passing it through a stone layer on the top of the tree pit and then filtering it down through the Arborsoil Hydro soil mix provided for the root growth. The water then transferred through a clean stone layer to an underdrain to a storm water drain. This method of conveyance gives an acceptable level of pollutant removal and slows the water down so that the existing drainage network can cope with the increasingly violent storm events.

The Aldwych area, nestled in the heart of London, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Aldwych is rich and diverse, originally developed in the early 20th century as a grand thoroughfare, flanked by prestigious buildings and theatres. Over time, it evolved into a bustling commercial hub. However, changing urban needs and traffic management had begun to take a toll on its charm and functionality. “A Vision for Aldwych”LDA Design played a pivotal role in envisioning the revitalisation of Aldwych. Their work was grounded in the belief that urban spaces should be more than just thoroughfares; they should be vibrant, people-centric environments that promote sustainability and community engagement. Collaboration between LDA Design and Westminster Council, aimed to enhance the public realm by incorporating innovative urban design principles and environmentally friendly features, such as tree planting.The primary goal was transforming Aldwych into a welcoming and attractive pedestrian space. This involved expanding pavements reducing vehicular traffic and creating designated areas for social interaction. The existing London Plane trees that lined the Aldwych were seen as valuable assets the design aimed to celebrate and preserve these trees.Drawing inspiration from the Strand design, the project proposed unique street furniture. These pieces added aesthetic value and provide functionality, such as Wi-Fi hubs and charging points.

In 2016, the Aberdeen City Council embarked on an ambitious project to refurbish the historic Union Terrace Gardens in collaboration with LDA Design from Glasgow. The primary goal was to breathe new life into this iconic space while preserving its historical elements. This initiative was undertaken in close collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland to ensure the site’s cultural heritage preservation.To align with modern sustainability standards, GreenBlue Urban collaborated with the chosen landscape contractor, Ashlea Landscapes, to implement green infrastructure solutions. The urban tree planting products included RootSpace 600, Re-root barrier 600, ArborGuy deadman anchoring system, and RootRain ArborVents for continuous aeration and irrigation. These elements not only contributed to the aesthetics but also promoted the health and longevity of the newly planted trees.Collaborative SuccessThe success of the Union Terrace Gardens project can be attributed to the strong collaboration between the local authority, designer (LDA Design), contractor (Ashlea Landscapes), and suppliers (GreenBlue Urban). The project exemplifies a harmonious relationship between stakeholders, leading to a landscape transformation that respects the heritage of the site while embracing sustainable and inclusive design principles.The revitalisation of Aberdeen Union Terrace Gardens stands as a testament to the positive outcomes achievable through collaboration, careful planning, and a commitment to preserving historical and cultural heritage in harmony with nature.

Stirling E-Walk Cycle Live is a groundbreaking urban development initiative committed to advancing sustainability and liveability through the incorporation of green infrastructure. Located in the heart of Stirling, this mixed-use development aims to promote sustainable mobility, enhance green spaces, and cultivate a sense of community.