Studio Egret West’s Post

As our environment faces greater impacts from climate change ☀, sea level rise 🌊, and urbanization 🏙, designing spaces and habitats that are both resilient and ecologically viable is a crucial part of what we do as landscape architects. Achieving this balance requires an in-depth understanding of site and regional ecology to inform the creation of designs that fit seamlessly within the surrounding environment. From tailored native seed mixes to soft scape/hard scape mixed shorelines, Great Ecology’s resilient designs take many forms and are often influenced by site-specific needs and regional characteristics. Some of our recent resilient landscape projects include living shorelines in New York that are protecting coastal communities and critical natural resources from sea level rise and erosion while simultaneously restoring habitats; master plans that are prioritizing habitat restoration and the creation of biodiverse landscapes within parks, towns, and commercial areas; stormwater daylighting that is converting traditional hardscape solutions into softscapes that can better withstand flood events while providing water quality improvement; and tailored native seed mixes for restoration projects in California’s Imperial Valley desert and Denver’s urban green spaces that require less irrigation and provide greater tolerance to climate change. In addition to the numerous ecological benefits of resilient landscape design, taking a more resilient approach to addressing environmental challenges in urban areas also allows for the creation or enhancement of community access to natural resources. By bringing communities closer to nature, rather than building traditional hardscapes that cut off access, we can address issues like environmental injustice and improve environmental education on the importance of resiliency. Interested in learning more about our work with resilient landscapes on projects such as Sherman Creek Living Shoreline, Town of Rico Long-Range Plan, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Hell’s Kitchen Geothermal, La Lomita Park, and First Creek Nature Play Park? Click here: https://lnkd.in/gyfnAsU #WLAM2024 #ASLA #ResilientLandscapes #ThisIsLandscapeArchitecture #NaturalResources #HabitatRestoration #EcologicalDesign #MasterPlanning #LivingShorelines #Parks

We take sustainability seriously here at BETA, and we are always seeking ways to incorporate green infrastructure, plan for future climate impacts, and reuse existing materials in our projects. In Providence, Rhode Island, our landscape architects helped transform an overgrown concrete slab at The Foundry into a half-acre urban park and community garden. Upon the discovery of several gantry cranes that had been discarded in the nearby woods, our team suggested that the gantries be remounted on new overhead rails as gateways to both the park space and the garden, lending itself to the space’s name – the Gantry Gardens. Learn more about the Gantry Gardens and the creative ways we upcycled discarded materials to create a unique public gathering place: https://lnkd.in/eYp_zM-k

The first issue of #VERTICALURBANISM is out now! Published by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

In a recent interaction with a 5-year-old, I learned of a game called "Wall Touch," which she plays with her apartment buddies. I couldn't help but think about how drastically urban childhood and lifestyles have evolved. In my childhood, the game was called "Tree Touch," and we would race from one tree to another, forming human chains to reach the most distant ones. Today's urban children are forced to play in dimly lit basements and ride bicycles within the confinements of their living rooms. This led me to question the cities we are building. Do our buildings promote connection and interaction? Are we prioritizing green spaces and nature? #SustainableArchitecture #LandscapeArchitecture #BuiltEnvironment #CommunityDesign #Urbanism #urbanecology #inclusivecities

What will the cities of the future be like? By 2050 the world’s population is expected to reach 9.8 billion. Nearly 70 percent of this booming population—6.7 billion people— is projected to live in urban areas. Experts at the architectural and urban planning firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) showed how they would design a city of the future, educated by lessons of the past and anticipating challenges of the future. Their vision is articulated on five scales, from surrounding ecosystems to building interiors, and follows 10 key principles: ➡️ Ecology ➡️Water ➡️Energy  ➡️Livability ➡️Waste  ➡️Food  ➡️Mobility ➡️Culture ➡️Infrastructure ➡️Economy From regions to rooms, SOM’s designs flow from one idea: development and infrastructure complement and are shaped by ecology—letting nature regenerate and support rapidly growing urban populations.   Credits: National Geographic #sustainability #futurecities #ecology #smartcities #waste #climatechange #design #livability

🌎🌏 NEW PODCASTEPISODE WITH TIMOTHY BEATLEY ON BLUE URBANISM 🌊🏙️ It was a truly special pleasure and highly intriguing to have urban researcher and author Tim Beatley join us online, all the way from Virginia in the USA, for Habitats ApS's new podcast episode on Blue Urbanism. We traverse far and wide across our blue planet in this episode. From Timothy's childhood as a Feral Kid in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, to the Billion Oyster Project in New York, Bluefin Tuna in the Ocean between Denmark and Sweden, National Marine Park in New Zealand and landscape replacement policies in Singapore. Tim Beatley shares his lifelong love for nature and emphasizes the necessity of integrating a ‘Culture Biophilia’ into the transformation of urban metabolism in the future of Blue Urbanism, enabling cities to embrace a love for nature and the coastal landscapes they belong to. A huge thank you to Tim for joining us on this podcast episode and sharing his valuable insights with the rest of us 💙 So, dear listeners, if you'd like to hear more about Blue Urbanism, Biophilia, Biophilic Cities, Urban Metabolism, Culture Biophilia, and Ecological Literacy, 🔊🎙️then tune in here: https://lnkd.in/eHJUbMnC And for a sneak peak of the conversation, please watch the trailer below! #BlueUrbanism #LivableCities #BiophilicCities #UrbanMetabolism #LandscapeReplacementPolicy #EcologicalLiteracy #CultureBiophilia #EcologicalFootprint #Seascaping #SeaLevelRise #StormActivity #DangerAndDelight #RiskManagement #ClimateChange #HealingPowerOfNature #TimothyBeatley #HabitatsAps

Attractive, sustainable, and award-winning outdoor public spaces. 🌿 As we celebrate the award-winning Navy Pier in Chicago, it’s essential to recognize the value of trees in this iconic urban space. Trees aren’t just aesthetic enhancements; they make vital contributions to the environmental health and social well-being of this iconic space. Navy Pier’s trees provide shade, reduce noise pollution, and offer a natural respite for millions of visitors annually. They not only elevate the visitor experience but enrich the local ecosystem and stand as symbols of growth and resilience. This thoughtfully planned green space is a testament to the positive impact that landscaping can have on a city’s vitality. As we look to the future, the trees which have added so much to Navy Pier will continue to be a cherished part of Chicago’s urban landscape. #urbangreening #greeninfrastructure #urbanplanning #greenspaces #urbantrees #urbanforest #landscapearchitecture 

As we commemorate Earth Day, we reflect on the profound impact our structures have on our environment. A beautiful example that never fails to inspire is the remarkable Central Park in New York City. Constructed in the mid-19th century, Central Park stands as a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to harmonize with nature. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, this sprawling oasis in the heart of Manhattan wasn't just about creating green space—it was about crafting a masterpiece that would endure for generations. The sheer magnitude of effort and thought that went into the park's creation is a testament to the power of human determination and the profound connection we have with our environment. It wasn't just about planting trees and laying paths; it was about sculpting the land itself to mimic the natural landscapes found across the country. Every hill, every pond, every winding path was meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of wilderness within an urban landscape. “ Perhaps the most awe-inspiring aspect of Central Park's construction is the fact that it was built entirely by hand. “Workers moved nearly 5 million cubic yards of stone, earth, and topsoil, built 36 bridges and arches, and constructed 11 overpasses over the transverse roads. They also planted 500,000 trees, shrubs, and vines. The landscapes were manmade and all built by hand.” (https://lnkd.in/gddckKhU) We can draw inspiration from Central Park and remember that our actions as engineers and stewards of the environment have the ability to shape the world around us for the better. Whether it's designing sustainable buildings, implementing green infrastructure, or advocating for conservation efforts, we all have a role to play in preserving our planet for future generations. Let's continue to build a greener, more sustainable world—one structure at a time. Happy Earth Day! #EarthDay #CentralPark #StructuralEngineering #Sustainability #GreenInfrastructure

The recent Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Grounded symposium, sponsored by us at Ellenby Tree Farm, emphasised the importance of green infrastructure for creating sustainable, livable urban spaces. As we face climate challenges like heat, drought, and pest threats, urban greening must extend beyond public land into private spaces. Key takeaways: Public land isn’t enough; private and verge greening are crucial as block sizes shrink and urban tree loss increases. Valuing green spaces as assets is vital. Tools like the Green Factor Tool help measure sustainability, and TAFE funding is essential for building skills in horticulture and arboriculture. Resilience involves transforming community spaces with Indigenous knowledge and connecting to Noongar land. Greening is both a spatial and social solution. Innovations like Miyawaki forests boost biodiversity with “tiny forests,” and verge greening projects enhance community resilience. The My Home project in North Fremantle showcases sustainable, community-focused design to combat homelessness. A holistic approach to water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) and ecologically resilient landscapes is key to sustaining green infrastructure. From tree canopy protection to social resilience, greener cities mean a brighter future. Invest in green infrastructure today! Ellenby is cultivating a greener future, reach out to our team at: Craig Woodroffe, Michelle Rocca, Ric Woodroffe #UrbanGreening #CommunityResilience #GreenInfrastructure #SustainableDesign Heather Wallace

https://wix.to/qancUwR #rewildmystreet #30DaysWild Day 5 #urbannature benefits theme: #regeneration Adding greenery to cities as part of #urbanrewilding can contribute towards their economic and social regeneration. Greener cities look more attractive, boosting tourism and the local economy, and are associated with lower crime rates and higher uptake of active travel. Moreover, these social and economic benefits of green spaces increase with their biodiversity. Nevertheless, regeneration through rewilding can result in some negative consequences for people that we should guard against. These include inequitable access to nature across city districts, and ‘green gentrification’, in which communities are outpriced from their neighbourhood after environmental improvement. The city of Darmstadt in Germany has an inspiring example that allows nature itself to regenerate over time. Baumhaus, the home and studio of architect Ot Hoffman merges architecture and nature through its pioneering, overgrown green roof terraces. This encouragement of untamed, unruly nature creates a tranquil live-work space and attracts nesting birds, without appearing overly manicured or changing the character of the area: https://lnkd.in/eHTUsyAv