Scorching Heat Highs Show Need for Green Infrastructure

AS THE UK swelters with recent heatwaves, calls are being made for urban planners and developers to act now to tackle the growing threat of extreme urban heat.

Eco construction company Eco Green Group is urging, “now is the time to act” before city dwellers suffer from the consequences of poor urban planning.

The Met Office recorded temperatures at the end of June reaching 33°C, marking the month as just shy of one of the hottest on record.

With approximately 80% of the UK population living in built-up urban areas, many residents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of soaring temperatures.

This creates uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure solutions like green roofs and living walls can help reduce urban temperatures by combating the urban heat island effect.

These nature-based interventions help to naturally cool cities and improve the air quality for surrounding communities.

Eco Green Group is urging developers and councils to act immediately to integrate these green spaces into new and existing urban developments. Green Roofs have been proven to reduce the temperature of surrounding areas in city localities where they are installed, as well as providing green amenity spaces.

They warn that this needs to be tackled immediately before urban residents have to suffer further from the escalating impacts of extreme heat and poor urban planning.

Keith Hills, Founder of Eco Green Group, said: “The recent heatwaves are a warning of what’s to come as we face continuous soaring temperatures.

“Now is the time to act, as we need to urgently rethink how we design and manage our urban environments.

“Green infrastructure such as living roofs, green walls, and more trees, is a necessity when it comes to urban planning.

“These solutions can not only cool our cities, but they’ll also protect the health of millions.

“If we fail to act now, residents in densely populated urban areas will continue to suffer the consequences of rising temperatures and poor planning.

“The time for greener cities is now.”

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