Table 5 Application of the framework for biophilic streets design in four analysed street projects
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. |