From: Biophilic streets: a design framework for creating multiple urban benefits
Functions of a biophilic street | Biophilic design elements applied to analysed street projects | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Gasteiz Hiribidea, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain | Downtown in Berkeley, California, USA | SW Montgomery Street, Portland, Oregon, USA | Green Lanes, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | |
Traffic planning | - prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists; - enhancing facilities for transit; - slowing traffic. | - prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists; - enhancing walkability standards; - reducing existing traffic lanes; - lowered traffic speed. | - prioritizing pedestrians and cyclist (kerb-less paving); - narrowing existing traffic lanes; - lowered traffic speed; - sections of the street closed to traffic. | - limited traffic (local only) - shared space between pedestrian and vehicles. |
Energy management | - energy reduction due to ecological runoff treatment; - insulation capabilities of green walls and roofs systems; - heat island effect mitigation by tree canopies, landscaping and waterbodies. | - energy reduction due to ecological runoff treatment; - insulation capabilities of green walls and roofs systems; - heat island effect mitigation by tree canopies, landscaping and waterbodies. | - energy reduction due to ecological runoff treatment; - insulation capabilities of green walls and roofs systems; - air temperature regulation through landscaping. | - energy reduction through ‘green insulation’; - heat island effect mitigation through landscaping and miniature raingardens. |
Storm water management | - retention in underground cisterns; - Infiltration via permeable surfaces - purification using bio-filters (plants); - recycling via green wall and roof systems; - bio-filtration through daylighted stream. | - retention in underground cisterns; - Infiltration via permeable surfaces; - retention and bio-filtration through swales, raingardens; - purification using bio-filters (plants); - recycling via green wall and roof systems; - bio-filtration through daylighted stream. | - Infiltration via permeable surfaces; - retention and bio-filtration through stormwater planters and raingardens; - purification using bio-filters (plants); - recycling via green wall and roof systems. | - Infiltration via permeable surfaces; - retention and bio-filtration through raingardens; - recycling via green wall systems. |
Biodiversity management | - green walls, roof and living stream designed for biodiversity enhancement and ecological restoration; - daylighted and restored stream with riparian plants provide habitats for wildlife and facilitate species migration. | - green walls designed for biodiversity enhancement and ecological restoration; - daylighted and restored stream with riparian plants provide habitats for wildlife and facilitate species migration. | - green walls designed for biodiversity enhancement and ecological restoration; - use of native species - green corridors connect fragmented green areas; - raingardens provide habitat for wildlife. | - green walls, planters, miniature raingardens designed for biodiversity enhancement and ecological restoration; - habitats for wildlife and facilitate species migration. |
Street furniture | - integrated street furniture; tree pits and sittings expressing ecological sensitivity; | - parklets in parking spaces; - natural buffer between sidewalks and traffic; - public art supporting environmental awareness; - permeable paving facilitating rainwater infiltration. | - green wall and roof systems; - permeable paving facilitating rainwater infiltration. | - planter-boxes with irrigation systems; - green wall system hanging baskets and miniature raingardens; - permeable paving facilitating rainwater infiltration. |
Activity and education | - activity features for kids: sculptures, water features; - informative design of green walls and roofs; - interpretive plates and signs; - exposed ecological systems. | - interactive play equipment; - interpretive plates and signs; - exposed ecological systems; - parklets and temporary installations. | - interpretive plates and signs; - exposed ecological systems; - green infrastructure serves educational and research purposes; - activation of shopfronts supports community living. | - green infrastructure serves educational and research purposes. |