A simple way to make a difference...
Urban greening means growing plants wherever possible in towns, cities and villages. The idea is very simple, and it can be as easy as planting a climber against a house wall, but the results can really make a difference.
While one person may only have a small garden, when a street’s-worth is added together, the amount of greenspace we look after really adds up. In fact, our gardens account for about 25% of the land in most cities. And as more than 80% of the UK population live in a town or cities, we can make a difference by ensuring that every available space in our front and back garden contains planting.
The benefits of urban greening include:
- Improved air cooling (making it more bearable in towns and cities in hot weather)
- Insulation of the buildings by garden vegetation
- Improved air quality
- Storm water fall mitigation (gardens can help reduce flooding)
- Source of and refuge for biodiversity (habitats for wildlife)
- Health (plants and gardens are good for us)
Discover four straightforward things you can do – including growing plants against walls, or on roofs; welcoming more wildlife; or considering the materials used when paving your drive or patio.