Member Article

More Green Space needed to cut Climate Change.

Increasing the amount of green spaces in urban areas of the region is vital to combat the impact of urban climate change, according to a new report.

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the impact of urban climate change could be reduced by up to 2.5C if more green areas were created, not only by creating parks, but also by planting vegetation on roofs and walls.

According to the RICS’ Green Infrastructure working group, removing just ten percent of green space from a built-up area in the region could see maximum temperatures increase as much as 7C.

By lowering urban temperatures, this could alleviate the risk of flooding, improve air quality and protect many animals and plant species.

Chartered surveyor David Furniss, a director at BNP Paribas in Newcastle, said:

“There is no doubt that high quality public realm and green spaces have a positive effect on urban locations from a market perspective.”

“Combine this with the environmental and sustainability benefits and there is a compelling reason to consider how they can be both introduced and improved within our urban areas.”

The RICS is now putting pressure on the government to pay more attention to the growing problem of urban climate change, and is encouraging them to factor in environmental and economic benefits into any future urban development plans.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .