Landscape for 2030 How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis - LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 - NET
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LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 Landscape for 2030 How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis Kindly Supported by
Contents
Foreword 3
Purpose of this report 4
How we got here (2008-2021) 5
Where landscape can make a difference 8
Responding to the UK Climate Change risk assessment 11
Case studies
CASE STUDY CASE STUDY
Eddington Sustainable Republic East India Dock:
1 Community
16
7 New Water Gardens 28
CASE STUDY CASE STUDY
Kokkedal Blue Green
2 Patina of Time 18
8 Garden City Adaptation Plan 30
CASE STUDY CASE STUDY
Cator Park,
3 Fairbrook Grove 20
9 Kidbrooke 32
CASE STUDY CASE STUDY
Communicating Landscape:
Thamesmead:
4 Change from adaptation and
mitigation in a changing climate
22
10 Living in the Landscape 34
CASE STUDY CASE STUDY
Lingang Bird Sutcliffe Park:
5 Airport Sanctuary 24 11 Then and Now 36
CASE STUDY
Exploring Climate Change
6 Risks for Coastal Designated
Heritage Assets
26
How you can get involved 38
Acknowledgements 38
Cover image: Cator Park
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 2
Foreword Globally, the terrible effects of climate change and biodiversity loss are becoming increasingly apparent. People across the world are demanding action, and slowly but surely, governments are responding. In the UK, the government has pledged to become net zero by 2050, which fulfils the UK’s obligations under the Paris Agreement. But tougher targets alone do not reduce emissions. New policies, ideas, and on-the-ground innovations are needed to deliver real change. The landscape profession is uniquely placed to tackle these twin crises. Our members have long been committed to creating places that deliver for people and nature, and the sector is already working hard to provide place-based solutions to climate change – from site-specific innovations to landscape-scale transformation. This document showcases the integrated approach that landscape architecture represents, and its fundamental importance in securing our sustainable future. But as well as a demonstration of our expertise, this document must also be a challenge to our sector: to learn from best practice elsewhere; to foster new skills; to innovate; and to take the lead in tackling these emergencies. In line with our Royal Charter, LI members are committed to professionalism, and work to benefit the built and natural environment. Through this commitment, we must continually seek to do better and take lessons from the good practice of others. This is why, in the year that the UK is hosting the 26th UN Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, we’ve updated and republished our 2008 report, Landscape architecture and the challenge of climate change, with eleven new case studies. This publication aims to provoke further discussion and action across our profession, demonstrate the leadership the sector is already showing, and push ourselves to do more. Jane Findlay President, Landscape Institute Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 3
Purpose of this report In June 2019, the Landscape Institute Board of Trustees declared a climate and biological diversity emergency. In its public statement, the LI committed to take real, tangible action, and promised to equip our members to tackle and adapt to these twin emergencies. This publication is one of the commitments we made in our Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan. It is an update of our 2008 Climate Change position statement, and seeks to further establish the landscape profession as leaders in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as provide more best practice examples for our sector to follow. The new case studies in this paper demonstrate the measures needed to create climate resilient, low-carbon places at all scales, from public squares to eco-parks. Our aim is to show stakeholders and governments at all levels the critical, central role that the landscape profession has to play in the delivery of climate change policy. In addition to the new case studies, we have updated the section ’Where landscape can make a difference’ to better demonstrate the advancements innovations of the past 13 years; and we have added a specific response to the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment, first published in 2012. Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 4
How we got here (2008-2021)
We are in a climate and biodiversity crisis. The evidence of the multiple
negative effects of climate change and biodiversity loss is clear, and
humanity must take urgent, collective action to prevent global temperature
rises and further ecosystem collapse.
Governments have begun to address this Since our 2019 emergency declaration, the
challenge at the national and international level. LI has published its Climate and Biodiversity
The Climate Change Act (2008) made the UK Action Plan. The Plan’s four action areas include
the first country to establish a long-term, legally advocating for effective landscape policy, driving
binding framework to cut emissions. In 2015, progress within our own organisation, raising
the UN Paris Agreement set the goal to limit skills and standards, and steering members to
global warming to below two degrees Celsius recognise their ethical and professional duty
compared to pre-industrial levels. And in 2019, to do all they can to address climate change
the UK Government committed to reach net zero and biodiversity loss. The government’s 2050
emissions by 2050. commitment is a minimum requirement; the LI
has committed to reach net zero emissions by
As those who work to connect people, place,
2029, our centenary year.
and nature, landscape professionals are uniquely
placed to galvanise and lead a built environment In the 12 years following the 2008 Act and
response to this crisis. the LI’s initial position statement, there has
been some progress; but it’s clear that we,
governments, and society worldwide need to
do much more.
David Attenborough speaks at the 2019 LI
Awards, where he receives a Landscape
Institute Medal. Debuting at this event, new
Award categories highlight how landscape
interventions can help tackle the climate and
biodiversity emergency.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 5
Accelerating our response: A brief history of
LI climate publications
Landscape
architecture and
the challenge of
2007 climate change
Landscape
Institute
Position statement
2008
Our first climate- Climate Change
themed Journal Position Statement
Before government takes After the Climate Change
serious action on climate Act, the LI is quick to
change, the LI begins publish our climate change
to explore the sector’s position statement, with
response and obligations ten case studies. This 2008
in a special themed document will form the
Journal edition. basis of the updated 2021
publication.
Green
Carbon and Landscapes
2018 Infrastructure
An integrated approach to land use
Landscape Institute Position Statement
2013
Carbon and Green Infrastructure
Technical Information Note 01/2018
February 2018
Contents
1.
2.
Introduction
Carbon in the atmosphere and the environment
Landscapes TIN The LI continues to embed
climate considerations
3. Greenhouse effect and the landscape
4. A low-carbon landscape The LI also continues
to embed climate across our policy work. This
5. Impact of climate change to our planet and the landscape
6. A role for the landscape professional
considerations across our 2013 publication explores
7. How landscape planning and management can influence environmental
carbon at a large-scale
8. Landscape Planning Local Scale – Parks
9.
10.
Embodied carbon in landscape design
Conclusion
technical practice guidance why green infrastructure
11. References
and information. A 2018 (GI) is crucial to our
This Note provides information about Carbon and Climate Change, and whilst not constituting Technical Information Note sustainable future, building
on a previous position
guidance, may encourage a change in the way in which landscape interventions are perceived
and thereby facilitate the creation of more sustainable, resilient environments.
(TIN) addresses the topic of
carbon in landscapes. Landscape
Institute
Inspiring great places
statement published in 2009.
Page 1| Carbon and Landscapes | LI Technical Information Note 01/2018
Climate and Biodiversity Emergency issue
A review of delivery by
Lead Local Flood Authorities
2019 2019
January 2019
Achieving Sustainable Emergency
sustainable drainage research declaration
drainage Issue 4 – 2019
The LI launches a paper in The LI Board declares a
early 2019, recommending climate emergency, and
changes that would help begins work on its Action
promote wider usage Plan. A second special
of sustainable drainage Aiming for net-zero carbon
edition of the Journal
systems (SuDS) – a key landscapeinstitute.org
marks the occasion.
tool to increasing climate
1 change resilience.
May 2020 LI Policy Paper | Autumn 2020
2020 GREENER
RECOVERY
2020
Climate and Climate and Biodiversity Delivering a sustainable
recovery from COVID-19
Greener Recovery Paper
biodiversity Action Plan How investing in better places
In Autumn 2020, the LI
action plan can support the UK’s recovery
launches our Greener
from Coronavirus while tackling
Following the LI Board’s
climate change
The Landscape Institute’s
commitment to addressing
the climate and biodiversity
emergencies 2019 climate emergency Recovery policy paper,
declaration, the Institute urging the UK Government
publishes our Climate and to seize a ‘once-in-a
Biodiversity Action Plan, generation chance’ to put
setting out the actions nature at the heart of the
we will take to tackle the UK’s recovery from the
twin crises. COVID-19 pandemic.
Supported by
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 6
Headline climate change policy developments since 2008
2008 2008
The UK passes the Climate Change Act. This sets The UK establishes the
out a framework for delivering an 80% reduction independent UK Committee on
of 1990 greenhouse gas levels by 2050. Emissions Climate Change (CCC) to review
reductions are broken down into five-year the evidence base, set carbon
targets described as ‘carbon budgets’. budgets, and monitor progress.
2013 2012 2011
The first UK National The UK reduces emissions Following the 2010
Adaptation Programme is by 25% from 1990 levels, Lawton Report, the
published, setting out how the meeting our first carbon Natural Environment
country will manage climate budget. The first UK Climate White Paper is
risks over the coming five Change Risk Assessment published, creating
years. Scotland, Wales, and NI (CCRA1) is published. the Natural Capital
publish devolved equivalents. Committee.
2015 2016
At COP21 in Paris, the UK joins 196 nations to sign The Paris Agreement
the ‘Paris Agreement’, a legally binding international comes into force on
treaty on climate change. It commits signatories 4 November. The UK
to limit global warming to well below two degrees votes to leave the EU.
Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.
2019 2018 2017
The UK Government declares a The 25 Year Environment The UK meets
climate emergency, and commits to Plan sets out what the UK its second
a net-zero emissions target by 2050, government will do to improve carbon budget.
requiring a major acceleration in the environment, across all
emissions reduction activity. areas, for the next generation.
2020 2021
The CCC reports that the UK is not on track The COP26 UN climate conference
to meet its fourth carbon budget by the end is scheduled to take place in
of 2027, meaning the UK will need to reduce Glasgow. The Environment Bill is
emissions by at least 3% a year from now on. expected to pass.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 7
Where landscape can
make a difference
An integrated approach Mitigation
Climate interventions typically fall into one of two Climate change mitigation broadly refers to
strategic categories: mitigation and adaptation. limiting the amount and pace of future climate
This section outlines ways in which landscape change, by reducing overall greenhouse gas
professionals can make a difference across both. emissions and removing carbon dioxide from
While our sector can play a role in both mitigation the atmosphere. There are many ways,
and adaptation, however, landscape’s real at a range of different scales, in which
strength is its ability to take an integrated, holistic landscape professionals can play a central
approach. Landscape professionals can offer an role in helping to mitigate climate change.
alternative way by not only of tackling specific For instance:
climatic challenges head on, but also realising
multiple secondary benefits at the same time, Making low-carbon places
balancing outcomes for people and nature. 1) Reducing the embodied carbon of
It is this integrated approach, and an outdoor spaces
understanding of the complex interactions • Employing green and blue infrastructure
between natural processes and human life – rather than engineered solutions
between natural, economic, and social capital
Landscape – that will unlock the full potential of our places.
• Specifying materials in the design stage to
shift the construction to more sustainable,
professionals can The insufficient consideration we give to these
low-carbon materials and practices
complex interactions prevents us from adopting
offer an alternative more dynamic, integrated solutions. Landscape • Using recycled, salvaged, or sustainably
way not only of professionals can, for instance: manufactured and procured materials
tackling specific • Create nature-based solutions that not only • Specifying plant species that are grown locally
climatic challenges reduce carbon, but are also more resilient to reducing air miles on plant inputs
climate risks
head on, but of
• Undertake natural capital assessments to
realising multiple quantify trade-offs in ecosystem services for
secondary benefits different approaches
at the same time. • Articulate the local impacts of climate change
for people through landscape character or
visual impact
• Deliver wider ‘environmental net gain’
through a holistic approach to design and
management
• Do landscape-scale and landscape-led
masterplanning, to consider sustainability
issues as early as possible in the
development process
Perhaps most importantly, landscape
professionals can create a vision for an Reducing the embodied carbon of outdoor spaces
environmentally sound future. Cator Park used 30,000m3 of demolition material in
sculptural mounding reducing waste and inputs.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 8
2) Saving energy elsewhere Enabling carbon sequestration
• Living roofs can insulate buildings, and large 5) Nature-based sequestration
trees provide shade, reducing the need for
• Planning, planting, and managing forests,
air conditioning in the summer and raising
woodlands and street trees
ambient temperatures in the winter, reducing
heating costs due to the slowing of wind • Restoring and managing the UK’s peatlands
speeds • Managing soils and ground cover vegetation
• Integrating and maximising local food generally as carbon sinks – avoiding soil-
production in the landscape, thereby reducing sealing with hard surfaces wherever possible.
‘food miles’ as a result of transportation and
promoting more localised self-sufficiency
• Integrating solar lighting and signage to
reduce additional energy consumption.
3) Enabling non-vehicular transport
• Reducing CO2 and particulate matter
emissions by designing provision of non-
vehicular travel routes, encouraging walking
and cycling (also referred to as ‘active
transport’)
• Designing for accessibility and inclusivity,
ensuring ease of active transport for multiple
demographics
4) Supporting renewable energy
development
• Finding ways to enable renewable energy
infrastructure within rural landscapes
• In-situ/small-scale energy sources: for
example, ground source heat pumps in parks
• Providing strategic landscape and seascape
planning - an essential part of renewable
energy placement and viability
The design for Eddington, Cambridge provides for a
network of bike and pedestrian paths, reducing the need
to use cars.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 9
Adaptation Increasing urban heat resilience
Climate change adaptation refers broadly to the 3) Urban green infrastructure
measures needed to adapt our society to the
• Planning, designing, establishing and
climate changes that we won’t be able to avoid,
managing street trees and urban forests,
even with perfect mitigation. These include
providing urban cooling and pollution
increases in temperature, more severe weather
shielding, and increasing biodiversity
events, and associated risks to infrastructure,
human health, and natural ecosystems. There • Designing urban public realm to include green
are many ways, at a range of different infrastructure and reduce excessive heat
scales, in which landscape professionals can • Designing and managing parks that can
play a central role in helping to adapt our alleviate microclimatic overheating
places for climate change. For instance: • Installing green roofs and green walls,
improving the thermal performance of
Adapting to increased flooding and buildings and reducing the urban heat
coastal erosion island effect
1) Using sustainable Urban drainage
Adapting to water scarcity
systems
• Managing flow rate and surface runoff close 4) Designing for water
to the surface • Improving water efficiency by harnessing
• Mitigating against pollution risks with appropriate harvesting and recycling of
effective treatment stages and retention greywater
• Planting and managing appropriate, drought-
There are many • Creating wetlands or other habitats to
tolerant plant species
increase biodiversity, reduce flow rates, and
ways, at a range of filter pollutants • Accounting for increased water scarcity
different scales, in 2) Seascape and marine spatial planning
through landscape-scale catchment and
which landscape • Producing Seascape Character Assessments,
water systems management
professionals can protecting and enhancing the UK’s seascapes Responding to emerging
play a central role • Providing classification of Marine Character biosecurity threats
in helping to adapt Areas 5) Biosecurity
our places for • Supporting managed coastal retreat or • Identifying pests and diseases
realignment schemes
climate change. • Adopting responsible practices in the
specification and sourcing of plant material
• Promoting biosecure site management and
having the appropriate knowledge to assist in
the detection and management of outbreaks
The case studies this document demonstrate
in more detail how landscape professionals can
contribute to these specific areas of climate risk
mitigation and adaptation.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 10Responding to the UK Climate
Change risk assessment
The CCC’s most recent UK Climate Change Risk Assessment Report (2017)
outlined six priority risk areas for the United Kingdom. These are the areas
of risk that the UK needs to urgently address.
In this report, the Committee recommended Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)
that the UK Government: Sustainable drainage systems (SUDs) reduce
“challeng[e] the relevant professional bodies the negative impacts of development on surface
such as the Landscape Institute […] to increase water drainage. SuDS can minimise the risk of
their level of engagement with members flooding and pollution via rainwater attenuation
regarding climate change, and to improve the and storage to ‘slow the flow’ of stormwater
training, guidance and professional accreditation into the main rivers. Additional benefits include
they offer” improvements to local environmental quality,
the creation of habitats for biodiversity, and
Outlined in this section are some key adaptive general quality-of-life improvements for local
solutions that landscape professionals can communities.
deliver across the six identified risks.
Landscape professionals have the skills to plan
Landscape and design landscapes that integrate SuDS and
professionals are 1. Flooding and coastal change risks reduce the risk of flooding while making best
to communities, businesses and use of available land for a range of beneficial
striving to deliver infrastructure. functions. SuDS features vary: from site-by-
more natural flood site solutions, to larger, integrated schemes
management The 2017 Evidence Report presents compelling comprising green roofs and green walls, raised
evidence that by the middle of this century, planters to capture downpipe water, street tree
and develop climate change may lead to increased heavy pits, permeable paving, rain gardens, swales,
more integrated rainfall and significantly increased risks from and retention ponds.
approaches fluvial and surface flooding. Rising sea levels
may further increase the risk of flooding and
in high-risk coastal erosion.
catchments...
Landscape professionals are striving to deliver
more natural flood management and develop
more integrated approaches in high-risk
catchments, especially where there are likely
to be co-benefits, such as to carbon storage,
water quality, and biodiversity. There are several
design and planning interventions that landscape
professionals can utilise to build resilience in
places under threat from rising sea levels and
flooding. For example:
The project in Kokkedal sought to restore natural water
cycles, mimicking nature and managing rainwater
close to where it falls. This also provides benefits for
biodiversity, recreation and landscape character.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 112. Rising temperature risks to health, Where GI interventions have been introduced
well-being, and productivity on existing sites, a long-term management plan
– accompanied by maintenance schedules – will
The government has stated the need for urgent help to ensure that these interventions continue
action to address overheating in homes and to be effective into the future. Government
public buildings, and to reduce through urban has recognised the importance of GI and has
design and planning the impacts of the ‘urban developed guidance and increased provision for
heat island’ effect. Landscape professionals it within planning policy, landscape professionals
can provide solutions that tackle overheating in can contribute effectively to this agenda.
the built environment, while generating multiple
socio-economic benefits. For example: 3. Risks of water deficits in public
water supply, and for agriculture,
Green infrastructure (GI)
energy generation and industry,
As an approach to design and planning, green
with impacts on freshwater
infrastructure (GI) is vital to helping people
ecology.
and wildlife adapt to the rising temperatures
and extreme weather events associated
By the 2050s, many catchments across the
with climate change. Underpinning GI is the
Landscape concept of ecosystem services, an approach
UK will need to manage water deficits and
competing demands for water. Landscape
professionals can that recognises the many benefits that natural
professionals play many roles in reducing the
ecosystems generate.
provide solutions impact of drought. At the landscape scale,
that tackle Taking a holistic approach, landscape collaborating with stakeholders, they can prepare
practitioners play a key role in GI delivery. As catchment management plans and design
overheating in the showcased in this document’s case studies, natural systems that help communities conserve
built environment... landscape professionals deploy GI effectively, and reuse water.
creating places that deliver improved thermal
performance, as well as protecting and Grey water use
enhancing nature and biodiversity. Incorporating grey water collection and recycling
systems into designs can assist in adapting
Genuinely sustainable development depends
to hotter drier summers when pressure on
on appropriate long-term management and
conventional supplies is likely to be greatest.
maintenance of the site’s assets. Landscape
Grey water can be used in toilet systems and for
professionals address this from the start, and
irrigation.
are experienced in preparing management plans.
© Dirk Lindner
The redevelopment of East India Dock has been The design for Lingang Eco Park plans for wastewater
designed to reduce the impacts of urban heat and recycling and rainwater harvesting, providing water to the
provide a sheltered microclimate. new wetland areas.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 12Water-sensitive design 4. Risks to natural capital, including
When designing in areas at risk of drought or soils, coastal, marine and
water deficits, landscape professionals can freshwater ecosystems, and
employ several design techniques to reduce biodiversity
water consumption, promote the capture and
reuse of rainwater, and ensure sustainability There is clear evidence that nature – including
– most notably by specifying drought-tolerant natural capital assets such as forests, water,
plant species. minerals, and soil – is already in decline.
Catchment management Landscape professionals are trained to take an
integrated approach to planning and design, and
Many of the problems relating to water quality
to meet natural capital targets while delivering
or water scarcity at a particular location are best
resilient landscapes. This makes them ideally
considered at the whole catchment level. This is
placed to provide the vision, the technical
because problems at one location may require
expertise, the creative drive, and the pragmatism
interventions to be made elsewhere along the
necessary to deliver a new generation of
river system. Landscape professionals have the
integrated GI. The projects in this publication
skills to mediate between competing interests,
demonstrate the many ways in which landscape
delivering the best outcome for a diverse range
professionals are already leading on delivering
of stakeholders within a particular catchment.
for nature.
Landscape
professionals are Designing with nature
trained to take an Loss of biodiversity is mainly caused by
integrated approach fragmentation, degradation, and loss of
habitats. Landscape professionals ensure that
to planning and developments are planned and designed with
design, and to meet careful regard to both the ecology and the
natural capital targets character of the landscape. They weave together
the natural and built environment to ensure
while delivering habitats are created and restored, and that they
resilient landscapes. are “bigger, better, and better-connected”, in line
with the Lawton Principles.
Landscape professionals are also driving the
creation of new habitats, reversing the effects of
fragmentation and environmental degradation.
Applied in many of the projects in this document
is a holistic approach to the natural and built
environment that recognises the important,
multifunctional role natural design plays for
the economy, biodiversity, and communities,
as well as for climate change adaptation.
Well-connected GI provides wildlife corridors
for species migration in the face of climate
Designing with nature at Sutcliffe Park was key to change, as well as wider benefits for recreation,
increasing wildlife habitats and recreational value.
Returning the river Quaggy to its original course enabled
community development, biodiversity, food
the restoration of natural capital at the local level. provision, and place-shaping.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 135. Risks from climate-related impacts 6. Risks from new and emerging
on domestic and international food pests and diseases, and invasive
production and trade non-native species, affecting
people, plants, and animals
Climate change will affect agricultural
productivity and will test the resilience of the New and emerging pests and diseases –
natural resources that underpin agriculture. including invasive non-native species – have
the potential to severely effect people, plants,
Rural landscape management and animals. Climate change will increase
The biggest contributor to the shaping of rural these risks, and it will be necessary to develop
landscapes in the UK is agriculture. Landscape approaches to monitor, detect, and manage
An integrated managers have the expertise to increase the outbreaks, and to develop resilience to disease.
multi-functionality of agricultural landscapes
management for food production, visual enhancement,
With an understanding of earth sciences,
approach can and ecological conservation. An integrated
landscape professionals are well-placed to learn
and adapt their practice and mitigate these
evaluate the management approach can evaluate the
environmental and societal risks.
requirements of agriculture, rural communities,
requirements of and the natural capital stocks – such as soils – Plant species selection
agriculture, rural on which the agricultural sector relies.
Landscape professionals are trained to
communities, and Employed correctly, landscape managers can understand what species to plant, where to
the natural capital promote collaboration between these often- plant them, and what conditions they need to
stocks... competing stakeholders, better manage natural thrive. This knowledge is invaluable in the face of
resources, and enhance landscape character. changing climatic conditions.
Urban food production
The landscape profession has been an early
advocate of integrating local food production
and community growing –allotments, school
gardens, and community gardens, for example
– into urban and suburban places. This can lead
to reduced food miles, biodiversity gain, urban
greening, health benefits, and opportunities
for learning, social interaction and cohesion,
if supported by adequate community-based
infrastructure.
In this landscape management and mapping report,
NRW helps visualise what landscape change might look
like with adaptation and mitigation interventions.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 14Case studies
The case studies presented in this document demonstrate
the contribution that climate- and biodiversity-sensitive
landscape practice can make to addressing these twin
emergencies. Its aim is to inspire high-quality design and
climate-resilient practice: within our own profession;
within other professions, such as planning, ecology, and
architecture; and by landowners, clients, public bodies,
and wider stakeholders.
This document presents examples of best practice in sustainable
and biodiversity-focused landscape planning, design, and
management across a wide range of contexts, including:
• large-scale urban developments focusing on sustainability,
regeneration and adaptation;
• small, community-focused schemes and single building projects;
• a flagship wildlife sanctuary and eco-tourism design; and
• research and tools to explore future impacts of climate change
on our landscapes
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 151
CASE Eddington Sustainable Community
STUDY
Gillespies
Overview calming designs. Priority has also been given
The Eddington Sustainable Community is a to cyclists at secondary road junctions to further
sustainable, long-lasting and ambitious new encourage and prioritise cycle usage over cars.
area of Cambridge, designed to ensure a high The provision of 2.6ha of community allotments
quality of life for its residents. Gillespies was and a sports hub with 3G and grass pitches
commissioned to develop the landscape design within the neighbourhood centre reduces both
for the phase 2 infrastructure, building on the travel by car and the need to travel for sport
principles established in the masterplan by and leisure.
Aecom and implemented phase 1 work.
Sustainable drainage and water
Promoting active transport and management
reducing the need to travel The development features the largest grey water
The design encourages active forms of recycling system in the country, with water
transport, with walking, cycling, and public recycled through cleansing lagoons for non-
transport prioritised. This is achieved via a potable use. The lagoons also help to reduce
dedicated pedestrian and cycle ‘Ridgway spine’, the risk of localised flooding by attenuating
a wider network of bike and pedestrian paths water and providing a vital amenity in the new
and 1.2km of the primary street containing ecological parklands.
integrated cycle lanes, wide verges, and traffic-
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 16Substantial ecological parklands along the Minimisation of waste
western edge of the development deliver A soil management strategy, developed with
five ‘green fingers’ with integrated swales input from soil scientists Tim O’Hare Associates,
and shallow gravel-filled planted rain gardens has been a key component to reduce waste.
to connect back into the development. The This minimised off-site waste, re‐used existing
‘green fingers’ will ultimately perform as resources, and designed plant typologies
multi-functional linear parks creating healthy, suitable for the existing soils.
accessible green spaces rather than being
primarily focussed on drainage.
Location
Eddington, Cambridge
Biodiversity Gain
Gillespies worked closely with the client’s Year Completed
Ongoing
ecologist to incorporate target habitats and
wildlife features. In addition, a more habitat- Client
based perennial planting style was proposed University of Cambridge
for the residential areas with mixes of hardy Project Team
perennials in a gravel mulch to reduce water Gillespies LLP – Landscape Architects
loss from the soil. Aecom – Master Planners and Engineering
Stace – Project Management
The use of large tree species has been
Gardiner & Theobold – QS
incorporated where possible, particularly Turner& Townsend – CDM Administrator and
along the primary street, to increase overall Principle Designer
canopy cover in the city. The design included Faithful and Gould – BIM
as much species diversity as possible to guard Hilson Moran – CEEQUAL and Utilities
against wholesale loss through pathogens and Robin Lee Architects –Architecture
climate change. Tim O’Hare – Soil Specialist
MD Ecology- Ecology ConsultantDavid Bonnet
Associates – Access Consultants
Awards
Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2017:
Best Engineering & Sustainability Project
World Architecture Festival 2014: Masterplanning –
Future Projects (Winner)
AJ Architecture Awards 2017: Masterplan of the Year
(Winner)
RIBA East 2019 Awards: Masterplan (Winner)
RIBA National Awards 2019: Masterplan (Winner)
See more: https://eddingtoncambridge.co.uk/about-
us/awards
Related Links
Edington Cambridge Website
LI Case Study Link
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 172
CASE Patina of Time
STUDY
Wildwood Studio
Overview reconnection of human with nature not only
This private garden and home design from results in climate change mitigation, but
Wildwood Studio demonstrates that climate also provides climate education and personal
mitigation starts at home and can be achieved engagement.
on a small scale.
Sustainable design and specification
The project applied a holistic design approach,
The glass channel running vertically across the
integrating landscape architecture and biophilic
two floors is designed to create 3D waterfall
interior design, to both a 500m2 backyard
sound effects in the house, acting as a natural
space and the interior of a two-storey house in
‘Rain Hourglass’, and creates awareness
Stockport. This resulted in a design that enabled
of natural processes such as seasons and
a low-carbon greener lifestyle and addressed
temporal changes in the environment. The
climate change effects through a ‘green-blue’
channel receives the rainwater from the roof
network in the property.
and transmits it to the indoor plant beds, before
allowing it flow to the backyard garden for more
Climate-inspired concept irrigation and maintenance. To allow active water
The inception of the original design ideas came infiltration and achieve ground water recharge,
from the project’s location in Manchester. The the originally proposed granite garden walkway
city has long been stigmatised as a rainy region, was replaced by sustainable Kellen paving.
so the project sought to explore how rainwater
can not only be harvested, but its ‘kinetic Hardwood flooring from sustainable sources
energy’ reciprocated in the user’s everyday life. was proposed for the entire house. This will
avoid the use of volatile organic compounds
The integrated landscape-biophilia approach (VOCs) and environmentally harmful chemicals,
provides a creative way to mitigate climate and will also contribute to carbon sequestration.
change on a residential scale. And the
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 18Designing with nature Location
A lightweight green roof system provides natural Greater Manchester, Stockport
thermal insulation, ambient noise control, and Year Completed
biodiversity enhancement via wildflower sedum 2021
(attracting butterflies and bees). In addition, a Client
custom designed ‘fauna wall’ is situated in the Private Property
garden with a hollow honeycomb web to hold
water and attract birds. Such nature-inspired Project Team
Wildwood Studio
designs not only result in ecological up-valuing,
but also help us create more productive, Related Links
healthier, and happier spaces Wildwood Studio Case Study
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Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 193
CASE Fairbrook Grove
STUDY
Landscape Perspective
Overview should follow if we are to meet our collective
Fairbrook Grove is a residential community of desire to limit climate change.
14 Passivhaus family homes, designed around
the principles of sustainability and set within a Landscape-led sustainable drainage
communal woodland. From the outset, the project was designed
to be landscape led, and a key aspect of the
The development just outside of Faversham,
masterplan was the integration of an exemplary
Kent demonstrates what can be achieved
sustainable drainage scheme. The surface water
in a small site with a design team and client
network utilises two swale systems to collect
committed to climate and biodiversity goals.
surface water run-off from the residences, and
The scheme illustrates that there are not only
any surplus run-off from the permeable access
ecological but significant long-term financial
roads runs into a shallow graded route through
benefits to be had from creating a sustainable
the site whereby it discharges to a pond at the
landscape. The judging panel of the Whathouse?
base of the development.
2020 awards who awarded the project a Gold
in the best sustainable development category, The swales are lined with plants and trees and
concluded that the approach taken to the the meandering route, coupled with localised
development was one that larger developers weirs and sections of dry swale, maximise
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 20opportunities for discharge to ground and Location
evapotranspiration. The vegetated swales also Thanet Way, Faversham, Kent, South East England
trap contaminants such as hydrocarbons, which
Year Completed
will be broken down by exposure to sunlight
To be completed Spring 2021
and the atmosphere as they flow through the
system. Shallow gradients in the swales slow Client
the flow rate, leading to sediments dropping out Gold Property Developments Ltd
of suspension. Project Team
For foul water, discreet package treatment Architects: Inside Out Architects
Landscape Architects: Landscape Perspective
systems are being utilised to treat the outflows
Civil and structural engineers: Considine
in situ, thus discharging clean water to the
Sustainability consultants: Fabric Building Physics Ltd
surface water network. Treated water then Ecologist: Martin Newcombe
either soaks into the ground or is managed by
evapotranspiration. Awards
The project received the Gold award for
Best Sustainable Development at the
Climate mitigation WhatHouse? 2020 Awards.
Residents can expect to see very low energy
Related Links
bills from the eco-conscious Passivhaus design,
Landscape Perspective Case Study
which includes high-performance triple glazing,
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airtightness, ventilation, and space heating.
The development was modelled and designed
to raise the overall levels of the site marginally
and to include mounds to achieve a zero-cut
fill balance. Without these designs being
accommodated the project would have resulted
in almost 470 trips away from the site.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 214
CASE Communicating Landscape: Change from
STUDY adaptation and mitigation in a changing climate
Natural Resources Wales
Overview
Communicating Landscape is a resource to help Adaptation and mitigation action are a clear
visualise what future landscapes across Wales priority of the Welsh Government, and
might look like with climate change mitigation and locations for these changes must be identified.
adaptation interventions in place. Its key aims are Afforestation, for example, will be a cornerstone
to support a greater use of landscape character of mitigation measures, but it is vital that we
as a tool for spatial planning, and to provide a understand the impact upon the landscape
context for integrated working. The project was character, qualities, and visual amenity. This
commissioned by Natural Resources Wales. information can help inform a landscape-scale
approach that delivers enhanced outcomes for
Landscape-scale planning biodiversity and landscapes.
The changing climate of Wales will have
significant direct and indirect impacts on Adaptation and mitigation impacts
landscape character, quality, and local The report demonstrates how adaptation
distinctiveness. Flooding and drought events, actions may change the character of the Welsh
more frequent extreme weather, coastal landscape. For example, uplands will change
erosion, and wildfires are all examples through improved water catchment and peatland
of how the landscape may change. management, the use of more resilient tree
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 22species in forestry, and modified methods of Report use
farming to improve biodiversity, shelter, and Decision makers can use the report to consider
diversification. In lowlands, the character of the implications of future climate change and
farming may change with more intensification the impacts of place-based adaptation and
of productive areas – with associated adaptation mitigation actions. It can help Natural Resources
measures to provide biodiversity corridors, Wales communicate the characteristics and
integrate structures, improve shelter, and qualities they want to conserve, identify what
accommodate flooding. Developed areas will actions may enhance landscape and ecological
need measures to increase green infrastructure resilience and explain the landscape changes
corridors, flood storage, and sustainable stakeholders may have to accept.
transport.
Mitigation measures that need to be delivered, Location
such as renewable energy generation through Wales
wind and solar power, are likely to result in Year Completed
marked landscape changes that will need careful 2020
siting and design in appropriate landscape
Client
types. The planned expansion of woodland Jill Bullen, Natural Resources Wales
to sequestrate carbon will lead to greater
enclosure, expansion of wooded uplands Project Team
Simon White DipLA DipUD (Dist) MA CMLI and
and lowland hedged valleys, and potentially
Harry Bell, White Consultants; Charlie Falzon,
increase diversity of character and biodiversity,
Charlie Falzon Associates
dependent on species and design.
Related Links
Link to Report
LI Case Study Link
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 235
CASE Lingang Bird Airport Sanctuary
STUDY
McGregor Coxall
Overview • Treated wastewater pumped into pond, reed
The Lingang Bird Airport Sanctuary is an and mudflats
ambitious project delivering a flagship ecological • Recirculation of treated water via water
wetland precinct and internationally significant pumps and channels throughout the site
bird sanctuary. • Incorporation of ‘sponge city’ concepts,
It is located along the key bird migration route such as having systems that reuse rainwater
known as the East Asian Australasian Flyway throughout park buildings
(EAAF) and is designed to attract and offer
Biodiversity net gain
refuge for several endangered bird species and
protect and enhance the local habitat. It consists The landscape has been specifically designed
of a 110-hectare wetland park and bird sanctuary to support the needs of more than fifty species
and will provide a crucial re-fuelling and breeding of birds in three different water habitats,
stop on the EAAF for more than 50 million including an island lake with shallow rapids, reed
migrating birds per year. zone, and mud flats. Ornithologist consultants
Avifauna Research were engaged to embed into
Water-sensitive urban design the overall design the complex interactions of
site soils, feed sources, wetland vegetation, and
The Bird Airport Sanctuary utilises ground-
water management.
breaking water design, helping to shape a
progressive environmental vision for future
projects in the greater Beijing region. The design
consists of the following main components:
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 24Creating a green belt for the city Location
of Tianjin Tianjin, China
The project delivers green infrastructure, Year Completed
including constructed wetlands, parkland, 2017
and urban forest. Recycled wastewater and
Client
harvested rainwater are moved through the
TEDA Institute of Landscape Planning & Design
wetlands using renewable energy and the site
is surrounded by a 20-hectare fringing forest to Project Team
protect the birds from intrusion by nearby urban McGregor Coxall – Landscape Architecture
developments. Avifauna Research & Services Pty Ltd – Ornithologist
& Environmental consultant
Vlad Vernica – Artistic visualisations
An educational experience for
the community Awards
International Federation of Landscape Architects –
The design emphasises eco-tourism and IFLA Asia-Pac Landscape
learning via special education programs, guided Architecture Award (Honourable Mention) – 2017
walks and workshops. Public facilities include Australian Institute of Landscape Architects – AILA
wetland trails, a lake loop walk, cycle circuit, and National Award, International Projects – 2018
forest walk, making up a 7km recreational nature
Related Links
trail network. This focus on climate education
International Federation of Landscape Architects –
and community engagement enhances the IFLA Asia-Pac Landscape
quality of the public realm and ensures long term Architecture Award (Honourable Mention) – 2017
positive outcomes for the economy, the natural Australian Institute of Landscape Architects – AILA
environment, and ultimately the health of the National Award, International Projects – 2018
Tianjin city and its people. LI Case Study
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 256
CASE Exploring Climate Change Risks for
STUDY Coastal Designated Heritage Assets
LUC for Historic England
Overview Listed Buildings, Registered Parks and Gardens,
This interactive map, developed by LUC for Scheduled Monuments, and World Heritage
Historic England, is part of a research project Sites.
exploring risk levels posed by climate change on The work has allowed Historic England to
designated coastal heritage assets. identify coastal heritage ‘priority places’ – areas
Indices of coastal vulnerability and heritage where designated heritage assets are most at
sensitivity were developed through a review risk from coastal processes. This has revealed
of currently available data and research. These that the South East and South West have the
were then developed into a mapping tool to look largest number of assets at risk. In terms of the
specifically at coastal erosion, coastal flooding proportion of assets affected, coastal flooding
and sea-level rise. poses the greatest threat, with many assets
being situated in flood zones.
Identification for adaptation The research looks at risk over the short-
The project built on previous research carried (0-20 years), medium- (20-50 years) and long-
out by Historic England. LUC incorporated the (50-100 years) term. This reflects the time
latest environmental datasets and extended horizons referenced in UK climate projections to
coverage across all assets in the NHLE (National ensure that the impacts of climate change are
Heritage List for England), which includes considered, and action can be prioritised.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 26Developing data for the future Towards adaptation options
Execution of this research project presented Mapping and identifying ‘priority places will
a number of challenges in terms of data enable a move towards deciding on adaptation
access, data structure, and scoring heritage options. The shape, size and location of the site,
sensitivity. The project highlighted that data the fluidity of its boundaries, and the relationship
on environmental risk factors such as coastal of its ecosystems to one another, are all key
flooding and sea level rise under different factors in determining adaptive capacity of a
climate scenarios is not readily available. In some heritage site.
cases, data exists, but it is not freely accessible
to those wanting to assess risk to their portfolio Location
of assets. England
Often climate change impacts will not be a Year Completed
2020
gradual process. Further research is needed
to understand where the ‘tipping points’ lie for Client
different assets. While this study has explored Historic England
vulnerability of different assets, whether an Project Team
asset experiences gradual or catastrophic LUC
loss relates to wider factors such as geology,
Related Links
location, and materials. These are subtleties that
Link to Report
have not been exposed through this study and
LI Case Study
further work is needed to understand this.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 277
CASE Republic East India Dock: New Water Gardens
STUDY
Remapp
Overview Designing for people
The Republic at East India Dock project The design of the space focused on the insertion
demonstrates an adaptive reuse approach to of new sustainably engineered timber structures
building a new development. This involved and decking within a newly planted waterway,
refurbishing, rather than demolishing, the existing creating a new public realm of multi-functional
‘Po-Mo’ office blocks as high quality and low- external ‘rooms’ within a water garden setting.
cost workspace, and developing a revitalized area This included preserving an existing avenue of
of public realm within a new creative district. lime trees. Alongside this the public realm has
been pedestrianised, and the existing concrete
The landscape design was an integral part of
waterway system transformed with lushly
this process and was integrated within the wider
aquatic and marginal planting.
green infrastructure framework of the Tower
Hamlets Green Grid Strategy. The project and The installation was designed as part of
design process focused on the existing concrete a collaborative process, with Studio RHE
waterways and addressed the functionality architects designing the timber structures, and
of this predominantly hard landscape, with its new planting structures designed by remapp
related constraints of its podium structures, a landscape architects. This created varied and
lack of biodiversity, and associated microclimatic sheltered microclimate sequences and a series
and wind tunnel issues. of open, but enclosed, spaces for local residents
and users of new workspaces and cafes.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 28Biodiversity gain and habitat creation Location
The planting included native and non-native East India Dock, London
species to enhance biodiversity, naturally filtrate Year Completed
and aerate the water body, provide wildlife 2019
habitat, and define seasons. New aquatic and
Client
marginal planting have been established through
Trilogy Property London Borough of Tower Hamlets
the installation of a low-tech and bespoke gabion
structure. Rainwater and surface water run-off is Project Team
recycled and drains into the waterway. Architect/ Lead Consultant: Studio RHE
Landscape Architect: remapp
In addition, to link with an adjacent lake Structural Engineer: Heyne Tillett Steel
habitat, multiple other habitats have been MEP Engineer: Watkins Payne
introduced, including recessed bird and bat Ecologist: The Ecology Consultancy
boxes on the water’s edges, and low-level bug Public Realm Consultant: Sarah Gaventa, Made Public
biomes. Low-level lighting in the water body Arboroculturalist: Marcus Foster Consultancy
also accommodates the already very evident Planning Consultant: Savills
dragonfly community. Project Manager: Quartz
Lead Contractor: Galliford Try
Landscape Contractor: ESL
Evidence of impact and
recommendations Awards
New London Award – 2019 – Public Space -
The proposals were demonstrated to provide Shortlisted
enhanced biodiversity and habitat via a project- AJ Retrofit Awards – 2018 – Highly Commended
specific BREEAM Land Use and Ecology NLA Awards Conservation and Retrofit – 2018 –
Assessment. The report showed a significant Shortlisted
increase in new habitats present on the site, Building Awards – Refurb of the Year – 2018 –
and considerable biodiversity net gain in terms Shortlisted
of species richness, leading to an ‘Excellent’ Structural Timber Awards – Commercial – 2018 –
BREEAM rating. In terms of demonstrable Winner
effort towards carbon neutrality and climate AJ Architecture – Rebirth Project – 2018 – Shortlisted
change mitigation, the installation of green Related Links
biodiverse roofs, new trees, and riparian planting www.republic.london
have contributed multiple ecosystem services; www.studiorhe.com
including carbon sequestration, reducing the www.remapp.co.uk
urban heat island effect, providing capacity for LI Case Study
surface water run off, and improved air quality.
Together, these contribute to a healthy and
resilient environment that will mitigate local
climate impacts.
Landscape for 2030: How landscape practice can respond to the climate crisis
LI Climate Change Case Studies | Spring 2021 29You can also read
