Greening the City

We propose that the development of Leeds city centre over the past 10 years has successfully regenerated the city as a vibrant retail centre but has failed to address the key issues of sustainability. The city centre has been sacrificed to the contemporary obsessions with shopping and twenty-four hour drinking culture but has failed to provide a city, which appeals to people of all ages. The planners have singularly failed to address the serious implications of climate change, demonstrating the misguided belief that in areas where implementing sustainable design is complicated, or maybe seen to compromise commercial interests, it can just be abandoned.  We believe that the time has come for Leeds city council to show strong leadership in guiding all interest groups within the city centre towards a sustainable future.

Climate Change in The City

Current evidence suggests that cities will be badly affected by climate change.

“By the 2080s there are increases in maximum surface temperature of between 1.5°C and 3.2°C in woodlands and 2°C to 4.3°C in town centres, depending on the emissions scenario.” (Gill etal)

Increased rainfall intensity, mean average temperatures and higher incidence of heat waves will all effect business districts as much, if not more than other areas[i]. Tall buildings with reflective surfaces increase the urban heat island effect. Paved areas absorb and radiate heat as well as increasing storm runoff and therefore more frequent and severe flooding. Developers are keen to build ecohouses when it suits their purpose but evidence of innovative solutions to climate change in retail space is thin on the ground. There are solutions that can be employed where there is willing:

However, in many existing urban areas where the built form is already established, it is not feasible to create large new green spaces. Thus, green space will have to be added creatively by making the most of all opportunities, for example through the greening of roofs, building façades, and railway lines, street tree planting, and converting selected streets into greenways.”(Gill etal).

Street Trees

Covering the streets of Leeds in trees will not impact on global CO2 levels, but they will have a local influence on city microclimates and the experiences of the communities, which use them. Leeds FoE see a commitment to street trees by the council as part of a larger need to really get serious about sustainability in the city centre.

Climatic

There is considerable evidence that street trees as part of a coherent planting policy can have local climatic benefits, reducing humidity, increasing shade, improving air quality and reducing the runoff effects of peak rainfall events.[ii]

Cost Benefits

Street trees are often viewed as an unnecessary expense, the contrary maybe seen to be the case; in New York City a study revealed that street trees provide an annual net benefit of about $122 million. The study concludes that New York receives $5.60 in benefits for every dollar spent.

Human environment healing/health

It is well established that the creation of healthy environments, with access to open space and greenery, can have beneficial effects on public health[iii]. Studies from New York show that tree-lined streets are associated with lower levels of childhood asthma, The city plans to plant 1 million new street trees by 2017[iv].   

The Current Situation

The council has engaged in revamping many areas of the city centre with new stone and street furniture. In some places street trees have been removed and not replaced. Although the planners are positive to the idea of street trees, at present their approach is piecemeal, sighting of new trees is dependant on the vagaries of individual developments and the attitudes of developers. There is no specific policy other than 'we need more street trees' no goals have been set, the council is happy to take a pragmatic approach that accommodates the wishes of landowners and tenants. It is our belief that the city centre should not be considered a 'sustainable design free zone' in the short-term interests of retailers and developers. Street trees can provide a significant impact on shade, reducing insolation, reducing pollution and controlling humidity. Opportunities to future proof the commercial districts in Leeds have been missed in favour of established cosmetic approaches. FoE is currently working in partnership with the council to target climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the city centre and to strengthen the leadership that the council applies in this key area. If the council cannot show leadership on this emblematic issue, what chance is there for a the council's commitment to a sustainable city?

Campaign targets

1. The Council sets up a specific group to tackle climate change in the city centre, this should include key council officers from planning, city centre management and climate change, plus ourselves and representatives from retailers and property owners

2. Targets are set for reducing climate change impacts in the city centre

3. Policies set to tackle impacts with mitigation actions relating to street trees, open space, flood retention, surfacing and green roofs

4. Specific council resources including funding and staff are allocated to deliver the   project

5. Initiatives involving the private sector are begun such as a green tick award for    businesses that shut their doors, sponsor a tree and ban plastic bags

References

Hulme, M., Jenkins, G., Lu, X., Turnpenny, J., Mitchell, T., Jones, R., Lowe, J., Murphy, J., Hassell, D., Boorman, P., McDonald, R. and Hill, S. (2002) Climate Change Scenarios for the United Kingdom: The UKCIP02 Scientifi c Report. Norwich: Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia.

URBED (2004) Biodiversity by Design - A Guide for Sustainable Communities. London: Town and Country Planning Association

S.E. Gill, J.F. Handley, A.R. Ennos and S. Pauliet, Adapting Cities for Climate Change: The Role of the Green Infrastructure. Built Environment vol.33 no 1

Mark Broadmeadow (2004) The potential effects of climate change for trees and woodland in the South West, A report prepared for the South West Conservancy of the Forestry Commission, funded by the Sustainable Forestry Group of the Forestry Commission.

G S Lovasi, J W Quinn, K M Neckerman, M S Perzanowski, and A Rundle,(2008) Children living in areas with more street trees have lower prevalence of asthma,J Epidemiol Community Health, Jul 2008; 62: 647 - 649

Greening the City- Street Trees Questions Answered

Street Trees disrupt services and cause damage to buildings.

The careful selection and placing of street trees can minimize problems with services.

The proper planning and maintenance prevents trees from growing too large.

Street trees increase crime by obscuring CCTV and giving villains places to hide.

Trees do need to be sensitively sighted in such a way as not to interfere with security systems. With the correct planning cameras can be relocated and a solution found. Evidence shows that trees can decrease crime by creating a more natural stress- reducing environment

The cost of street trees is prohibitive; surely the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Research from America shows that street trees provide an environmental benefit worth five dollars for each dollar invested.

Leaves can cause people to slip, landowners can be sued, why should we take the risk.

All areas have their associated risks, proper maintenance and upkeep can reduce these risks to a minimum.

Trees are fine in the country but they just cause problems for cars in the city, bird’s nest in them and make cars filthy.

Some inconveniences must be born for benefits to be gained. In a mature society we cannot make our own convenience take precedence over pressing environmental concerns.

There is no way a few trees can make a difference to global warming.

This is not about reducing the global level of CO2 so much as ameliorating the local effects that climate change will have on the city centre.

Trees will obscure my shop front and reduce my income.

There is evidence to suggest that the pleasant environment created by green streets increases the amount of time that people spend in those streets and the amount they are prepared to spend there.