Green Infrastructure Audit - Greening for Growth
In October 2010 a report was carried out by Land Use Consultants and the Green Roof Consultancy, on behalf of the Victoria BID to assess flood risk and provides recommendations on how green features can reduce flood risk and make Victoria more bio diverse and attractive to visitors and businesses.
One of the key environmental challenges in the Victoria BID area is the risk of flooding at Victoria Station during periods of heavy rain. Overheating is also a problem in summer, partly due to the density of buildings and heavy traffic.
There is considerable potential to enhance green infrastructure provision in Victoria, particularly through installing green roofs. This includes:
- Creating over 25 ha of green roofs
- Creating over 1 ha of new green infrastructure
- Enhancing over 1.5 ha of existing green infrastructure.
Opportunities in Victoria
There are a range of opportunities to enhance the Victoria BID through creation and enhancement of green infrastructure. While a number of GI opportunities have been identified on the ground, they tend to be small due to the dense urban fabric of the area.
Rain gardens
These are lowered beds planted with attractive plants which are also flood and pollution tolerant. Rain gardens are designed so that surface water drains into them during periods of heavy rain. They can also act as a buffer between busy roads and pedestrian areas, and can considerably enhance the urban environment. Opportunities are currently being investigated at 171 Victoria Street and Buckingham Palace.
Green roofs
Green or Living roofs are created by introducing a substrate onto building roofs and establishing plants. Green roofs can support a large diversity of species in some cases, and provide important wildlife habitats in dense urban areas like Victoria. There is potential to create 25ha of additional green roofs across Victoria, which could absorb up to 81,000m3 of rainwater per annum.
Space for wildlife
There is limited potential to create substantial new areas of wildlife habitat in the Victoria BID, due to limited available land. There are opportunities to create pockets of natural habitats however, which can be particularly beneficial for birds and insects. Opportunities to create space for wildlife exist at all of the sites listed under ‘visual enhancement’ above – visual amenity and wildlife value can be delivered in tandem.
Climate management
Green infrastructure can help to ameliorate climate issues including wind tunnels, urban heat island effects, flooding and excess sun. Most of the opportunities outlined above can contribute to managing the local climate in Victoria.
Green Infrastructure Audit - Greening for Growth
In October 2010 a report was carried out by Land Use Consultants and the Green Roof Consultancy, on behalf of the Victoria BID to assess flood risk and provides recommendations on how green features can reduce flood risk and make Victoria more bio diverse and attractive to visitors and businesses.
One of the key environmental challenges in the Victoria BID area is the risk of flooding at Victoria Station during periods of heavy rain. Overheating is also a problem in summer, partly due to the density of buildings and heavy traffic.
There is considerable potential to enhance green infrastructure provision in Victoria, particularly through installing green roofs. This includes:
- Creating over 25 ha of green roofs
- Creating over 1 ha of new green infrastructure
- Enhancing over 1.5 ha of existing green infrastructure.
Opportunities in Victoria
There are a range of opportunities to enhance the Victoria BID through creation and enhancement of green infrastructure. While a number of GI opportunities have been identified on the ground, they tend to be small due to the dense urban fabric of the area.
Rain gardens
These are lowered beds planted with attractive plants which are also flood and pollution tolerant. Rain gardens are designed so that surface water drains into them during periods of heavy rain. They can also act as a buffer between busy roads and pedestrian areas, and can considerably enhance the urban environment. Opportunities are currently being investigated at 171 Victoria Street and Buckingham Palace.
Green roofs
Green or Living roofs are created by introducing a substrate onto building roofs and establishing plants. Green roofs can support a large diversity of species in some cases, and provide important wildlife habitats in dense urban areas like Victoria. There is potential to create 25ha of additional green roofs across Victoria, which could absorb up to 81,000m3 of rainwater per annum.
Space for wildlife
There is limited potential to create substantial new areas of wildlife habitat in the Victoria BID, due to limited available land. There are opportunities to create pockets of natural habitats however, which can be particularly beneficial for birds and insects. Opportunities to create space for wildlife exist at all of the sites listed under ‘visual enhancement’ above – visual amenity and wildlife value can be delivered in tandem.
Climate management
Green infrastructure can help to ameliorate climate issues including wind tunnels, urban heat island effects, flooding and excess sun. Most of the opportunities outlined above can contribute to managing the local climate in Victoria.
Our advisors provide free advice to help businesses improve their environmental credentials, reduce running costs and attain green accreditation.
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Our sustainable and cost effective recycling scheme for SW1 is now up and running, join today!
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You and your business will benefit from a range of free seminars and training sessions geared towards environmental issues, don’t be left behind!
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The Victoria BID continues to deliver a range of environmentally focused research. Keep up to date with what’s going on in Victoria!
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We are identifying new opportunities to plant trees, install gardens, green roofs and living walls. Find out more about our projects that are already underway!
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We are keen to promote all methods of green travel, be it walking and cycling to work or through providing dedicated travel planning support.
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