The George Street 2025 public consultation ends in just one week: consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/d76708f1/
Lots of good aspects to the design worthy of support, but the absence of street trees, despite consistent public support for their inclusion, is very disappointing.
#GeorgeStreetTrees
Lots of good aspects to the design worthy of support, but the absence of street trees, despite consistent public support for their inclusion, is very disappointing.
#GeorgeStreetTrees
The environmental, social & economic benefits of street trees are well known:
• Increasing biodiversity, encouraging wildlife, providing food, shelter & connectivity for urban fauna;
• Creating healthier urban environments, improving air & water quality;
• Increasing biodiversity, encouraging wildlife, providing food, shelter & connectivity for urban fauna;
• Creating healthier urban environments, improving air & water quality;
• Improving mental wellbeing & physical health by encouraging physical activity & reducing stress;
• Improving energy efficiency of neighbouring buildings,
increasing pedestrian safety, baffling noise & reducing crime;
• Improving energy efficiency of neighbouring buildings,
increasing pedestrian safety, baffling noise & reducing crime;
• Increasing investment & business profitability, adding retail, leisure & tourism revenue;
• Enhancement & beautification of public spaces.
But perhaps most importantly, are street trees' contributions to improving and ameliorating the worst impacts of climate change.
• Enhancement & beautification of public spaces.
But perhaps most importantly, are street trees' contributions to improving and ameliorating the worst impacts of climate change.
Street trees create carbon sinks by removing CO2, attenuate heavy rains & flooding and moderate temperatures by evaporating water, reflecting sunlight & providing shade, all helping to adapt the immediate environment for the effects of rapid climate change.
George Street's landscape design needs to anticipate the predicted future wetter winters, drier hotter summers & increasing extreme heatwaves.
By 2050 (when the new public realm will be celebrating its 25th anniversary), Edinburgh's climate is predicted to resemble Paris.
By 2050 (when the new public realm will be celebrating its 25th anniversary), Edinburgh's climate is predicted to resemble Paris.
And by the end of the century, the climate could be closer to Barcelona (both cities where street trees are considered essential).
In this context, the current soft landscaping proposals for George Street (shrubs in raised planters & clipped hedges) are not remotely good enough.
In this context, the current soft landscaping proposals for George Street (shrubs in raised planters & clipped hedges) are not remotely good enough.
Chinese proverb: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
If you support street trees on George Street then make your views known while you still can.
consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/d76708f1/
#GeorgeStreetTrees
If you support street trees on George Street then make your views known while you still can.
consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/d76708f1/
#GeorgeStreetTrees
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