New green infrastructure in Delhi
Inspired by similar projects in Mexico, Delhi Metro has installed vertical gardens along the pillars in some of the busiest intersections in the city. This new green infrastructure will do more than just beautify the grey infrastructure. It will also help to reduce local air pollution, and provide a calming slice of green within a highly urbanized environment. Read about the initiative here.
How to crack the green infrastructure challenge The key recommendations for green infrastructure implementation from this United Kingdom (UK) conference are relevant for Ontario (see full summary here):
- Identify a green infrastructure champion at the development
- Landscape promoters must be more assertive among construction colleagues
- Push hard for post-installation management plans
- Point out that building the public realm first wins buy-in from the public, and helps promote the scheme to future tenants
- Don’t wait until a project is finished before talking to estate management
- Exploit opportunities for landscape promotion arising from competition between developers
- Talk about the enriching and restorative qualities of horticulture, which link it to the healthy design brief
- Evergreen hedges, deciduous hedges and living walls are most effective for removing pollution
- Desire for housing developments that offer wellbeing benefits is increasing, according to Foxtons research
England’s new “Northern Forest”
England is planning to plant 50 million trees and create a new forest from coast to coast. £5.7m has been committed by the national government to increase tree cover over the next 25 years. The new forest is expected to bolster the economy by an estimated £2 billion from tourism, property value increases, reduction in flooding and 8m tonnes of carbon sequestration. Read more about the project here.