Green Matters is committed to developing and encouraging greening within the urban environment. The development of urban habitats is vital for the management of complex eco system establishment. Increasingly topical issues such as water management, attenuation and management of antiquated drainage systems and flood risk alleviation define the use of urban greening products.

Green roof systems can reduce dramatically the speed water can reach already saturated areas. Although not a total solution to flood vulnerable areas, systems play a significant part in reducing the pressure of storm surges, primarily caused by an increasing prevalence of sustained heavy rainfall we have experienced over the past few years.

SUDS (Sustainable Urban Draining)

System design considers drainage and water management whilst providing areas of species develop is a major benefit of urban greening.

Green areas can also reduce urban heat islands, improve the living and working conditions and act as carbon sinks (sequestration) and pollution filters. A Sedum Green Roof can remove a significant amount of pollutants from the air leading to an improvement in local air conditions and lowering inner city temperature peaks.

Benefits

Environmental

  • Systems compliment SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) and BREEAM calculations
  • Offer attenuation solutions to manage water from buildings
  • Living roofs can be constructed to use up to 60% of regional rainfall
  • Water run off can be controlled to relieve pressure on antiquated drainage systems
  • Improves air cleanliness through pollutant filtration and re oxygenation of the local atmosphere
  • Reduces the incidence of urban temperature peaks and heat islands
  • Living roof systems can absorb up to 1kg/sqm of airborne pollutants, carbon and heavy metals per annum and will grow sustainably in the most polluted environments

Internal Biophilia

  • The introduction of plant material to reduce PM10s (dust and small pollutant particles), HAPs (hazardous airborne pollutants) and VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
  • Reduction of SBD (sick building disorder)
  • Alleviation of SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
  • Reduced incidence of absenteeism, lethargy and tiredness
  • Increased productivity, concentration and alertness

Ecological

  • Increase bio-diversity and maintain local micro populations stimulating ecology
  • Habitat construction will aid the development of invertebrate, bee, insect, bat, butterfly and bird species

Financial

  • Reduced heating and cooling costs
  • Living roof and wall systems aid insulation properties of the building but are not considered within U value calculations
  • Urban greening systems can add value to a building

Health and Wellbeing

  • Urban greening systems can reduce the incidence of air pollution responsible for many breathing disorders
  • Vegetation systems can absorb acoustic pollution by up to 45 decibels depending on substrate depth

Compatibility

  • Urban greening systems can be used to filter water and are compatible with storage and harvesting solutions