The Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) today released a new guide, Trees in the Townscape. The guide – which Beyond Green has helped to shape – aims to raise awareness of the benefits of trees in the urban environment, and to equip decision makers, developers and other green infrastructure professionals with the know-how to maximise these benefits through a series of key principles and actions.
Making the most of existing trees and enhancing their network within towns and cities through new planting is a no-brainer for Beyond Green, with the multiple benefits for biodiversity, climate change adaptation, as play spaces and even as a means of producing food more locally (have a look at the London Orchard Project and Sheffield’s Abundance Project for some great examples of the latter). Not to mention of course, the health, economic and aesthetic value that trees bring to a place.
Consequently trees are always a key component of green infrastructure networks in Beyond Green projects, incorporated into green spaces of all sizes and characters – from gardens and green roofs, to green streets, squares and parks – helping to form a continuous network of abundant greenery enabling people to be active, to enjoy recreation, to grow their own food and to connect with the natural environment.
As such, and with over 80% of the UK’s population living in urban environments, TDAG’s publication is a timely reminder and aid for all concerned to make space for trees in our towns and cities and ensure they last a lifetime.
For more information, see the TDAG Trees in the Townscape press release; the full Trees in the Townscape report is also available on their website.