Bankplassen
Smart rainwater management solves more problems in the cities
The Bank Square Upgrade
Bankplassen in Oslo has a long history. The square is more than 200 years old and was recently renovated. The landscape architect has throughout the process maintained the original layout with the central fountain in front of the National Museum of Arts while also adding benches, flowerbeds and trees for the square’s visitors to enjoy. The buildings surrounding the square house quite a few popular restaurants and cafes, and guests have been much more likely to enjoy the outside seating areas since the square was restored.
The Bank Square Upgrade
Bankplassen in Oslo has a long history. The square is more than 200 years old and was recently renovated. The landscape architect has throughout the process maintained the original layout with the central fountain in front of the National Museum of Arts while also adding benches, flowerbeds and trees for the square’s visitors to enjoy. The buildings surrounding the square house quite a few popular restaurants and cafes, and guests have been much more likely to enjoy the outside seating areas since the square was restored.
Cities’ effects on climate change
Larger cities are responsible for two thirds of the world’s energy and are responsible for approximately 70% of the global CO2 emissions. The cities impact on the environment is a huge part of why scientists expect the average temperatures in urban areas in Europe to rise with 3,5̊̊̊̊° C during summer months and by 4,5° C during winter by 2050. It its therefore crucial that municipalities strategically plan to reduce emissions and greenhouse gasses as well as increase air quality in urban areas.
Cities’ effects on climate change
Larger cities are responsible for two thirds of the world’s energy and are responsible for approximately 70% of the global CO2 emissions. The cities impact on the environment is a huge part of why scientists expect the average temperatures in urban areas in Europe to rise with 3,5̊̊̊̊° C during summer months and by 4,5° C during winter by 2050. It its therefore crucial that municipalities strategically plan to reduce emissions and greenhouse gasses as well as increase air quality in urban areas.
Tress can lower temperatures in cities
Strategically planting trees in urban spaces has numerous benefits. Fully grown trees properly placed around a building have the capacity to reduce the need of air conditioning by up to 30% as well as the usage of energy for heating by 20-50% during the winter. Moreover mature trees can absorb up to 150 kg CO2 per year while also being excellent filters for pollutants and particulates like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Scientists estimate that planting trees strategically can lower urban temperatures by 2° C to 8° C in part via photosynthesis but also by providing shade.
Tress can lower temperatures in cities
Strategically planting trees in urban spaces has numerous benefits. Fully grown trees properly placed around a building have the capacity to reduce the need of air conditioning by up to 30% as well as the usage of energy for heating by 20-50% during the winter. Moreover mature trees can absorb up to 150 kg CO2 per year while also being excellent filters for pollutants and particulates like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Scientists estimate that planting trees strategically can lower urban temperatures by 2° C to 8° C in part via photosynthesis but also by providing shade.
Tree growth for generations to come
One of the reasons why the square needed renovation was that the previously planted trees were not thriving due to the hard surfaces. The tree pits were too small, leaving no space for the roots to develop, and the hard surfaces compromised the oxygen levels in the soil below the surface. Those problems are solved with Stratacell soil cells and RootRain irrigation and aeration system. The combination of the two systems gives the trees the best opportunity for growth for generations to come because it gives the trees plenty of space uncompressed soil, oxygen and water. Within the next few years the trees will start contributing to the improvement of air quality in Oslo and will do so for decade, maybe even centuries to come.
Tree growth for generations to come
One of the reasons why the square needed renovation was that the previously planted trees were not thriving due to the hard surfaces. The tree pits were too small, leaving no space for the roots to develop, and the hard surfaces compromised the oxygen levels in the soil below the surface. Those problems are solved with Stratacell soil cells and RootRain irrigation and aeration system. The combination of the two systems gives the trees the best opportunity for growth for generations to come because it gives the trees plenty of space uncompressed soil, oxygen and water. Within the next few years the trees will start contributing to the improvement of air quality in Oslo and will do so for decade, maybe even centuries to come.
