The Urban Greening Factor (UGF) originates from Berlin and has been adapted and adopted in several European and North American cities. A planning policy tool evaluates the quantity and quality of urban greening provided by a development proposal [6]. The UGF aims to accelerate the greening of urban areas and ensures well planned and high-quality interventions that add to a multi-functional green infrastructure network. This policy means green infrastructure is considered at the start of the design and planning process for new developments and buildings[7]. The UGF is set out in Policy G5 of the New London Plan and provides a simple way for Local Planning Authorities to score green infrastructure interventions[8].
Parklets, the latest trend to hit our streets
There is a rising trend for on-street Parklets popping up across the world, in the US there are over 3,000 of them, with Canada and Australia not far behind. In the UK their growth has been slow until now, however in the past year over 40 on-street Parklets have been installed in London alone with 100’s more in the pipeline.