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MSc Thesis Project - Aisling Mannion

Green Infrastructure in Birmingham city centre. MSc Thesis Project - Aisling Mannion. Aims. The aims of this project are to: Map the existing green infrastructure (GI) Plan potential future GI Assess the benefits of GI. The study area. Canal. Town Hall. Birmingham Cathedral.

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MSc Thesis Project - Aisling Mannion

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  1. Green Infrastructure in Birmingham city centre MSc Thesis Project - Aisling Mannion

  2. Aims The aims of this project are to: • Map the existing green infrastructure (GI) • Plan potential future GI • Assess the benefits of GI

  3. The study area Canal TownHall Birmingham Cathedral Millennium Point ICC Canal Canal New Street Station

  4. The need for GI Predicted climate change • Summer mean temperature in the West Midlands is predicted to increase by 3.7°C by the 2080s. • Urban Heat Island effect may add an extra 3°C. • Winter precipitation in the West Midlands is predicted to increase by 17% by the 2080s.

  5. The need for GI Risks from climate change • High temperature increases air pollution • Higher risk of flooding & flood damage • Urban areas exacerbate temperature and flood risks • Damage to health & higher healthcare costs • Higher energy use for cooling & energy costs

  6. The need for GI Air quality in Birmingham • GI can help to meet EU standards • Air quality needs to improve for health reasons Image and investment in Birmingham • GI can improve Birmingham’s reputation • GI can increase visitor numbers and revenue in rundown areas. • GI can make Birmingham more attractive to investors & skilled workers

  7. Existing GI in Birmingham city centre

  8. Existing GI in Birmingham city centre

  9. Existing GI in Birmingham city centre

  10. Potential GI in Birmingham city centre Birmingham city centre is densely urbanised. Suitable methods for increasing GI here are: • street trees • green roofs • green walls • improving existing parks • SuDS • restoring existing water courses • linking existing green spaces

  11. Plan for potential GI The focus is on a route for pedestrians, to connect areas of existing GI Canal Town Hall Birmingham Cathedral Millennium Point ICC Canal New Street Station

  12. Potential GI in Birmingham – street level

  13. Potential GI in Birmingham – street trees Curzon Street Chamberlain Square The Bullring Victoria Square Square by the REP Centenary Square

  14. Potential GI in Birmingham – green roofs

  15. Potential GI in Birmingham – green roofs Extensive green roof, Canary Wharf, London Semi-intensive green roof, Chicago Intensive green roof, Kensington Roof Gardens, London Brown roof, Fire & Rescue Authority, Birmingham

  16. Potential GI in Birmingham – green walls

  17. Potential GI in Birmingham – green walls

  18. Potential GI in Birmingham

  19. Benefits of Green Infrastructure • Mitigates the Urban Heat Island effect • Improves air quality • Reduces surface runoff • Improves health • Reduces energy usage for cooling and heating • Improves image and investment • Improves ecology and biodiversity • Provides economic savings

  20. Benefits of Green Infrastructure - Indicative results Air quality • Potential green roofs cover 32 ha • All extensive: removes 2700 kg/yr of air pollutants. • All intensive: removes 3500 kg/yr of air pollutants. (Yang, 2008) • Trees: Pollution removal rate 10.8 g/m2/yr. (Nowak, 2006) • 2000 trees may remove over 112kg.

  21. Benefits of Green Infrastructure - Indicative results Energy savings • Potential energy savings from green roofs of 4.15kWh/m2/yr. (Banting, 2005) • 32 ha of green roofs may save 1.3GWh/yr.

  22. Benefits of Green Infrastructure - Indicative results Reduction of surface runoff • A typical medium-sized tree can intercept 9000 litres of rainfall per year. If the tree canopy spans 9m2, then this represents an annual rainfall depth of 1 m. • Green roofs have a water storage capacity of 30 – 140 litres/m2 • Total potential water storage of 9.7 million – 45 million litres on green roofs in Birmingham city centre.

  23. Thank you for listening!

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