The Green Vision of Lambeth’s Kerbside Strategy
The design of public spaces, especially streets, plays a pivotal role in influencing health outcomes, from the quality of air we breathe to the safety of our daily commutes. The kerbside - the space where most people park their cars - primarily used for parking, is being re-envisioned to prioritise health and sustainability. In Lambeth, a staggering 94% of the kerbside is designated for parking regulations.
Earlier this year, Lambeth Council launched an ambitious Kerbside Strategy, aiming to repurpose these spaces to diminish air pollution and boost public health. The strategy reimagines the kerbside to enable accessible and active travel, enhance air quality, create social spaces, and reduce carbon emissions.
Fentiman Road in Lambeth's Oval LTN has been absolutely transformed with Rain Garden SuDS & planting.
Rezina Chowdhury, a Councillor of the Streatham Hill East Ward, and David Wilson, Climate Response Strategy Manager at Lambeth Council highlighted the importance of rethinking public spaces to address the climate crisis and improve residents' well-being. The strategy, informed by extensive consultations, seeks to create a balance between the needs of car owners and the broader community's health and environmental concerns.
“Issues like climate change and air pollution don’t affect people equally. It’s fundamentally unfair that people who are less likely to own a car are more likely to be subject to the harmful effects of traffic and pollution.”
Rain Garden SuDS: The Green Solution to Urban Challenges
In today's busy urban landscapes, managing stormwater, reducing flood risks and increasing biodiversity are constant challenges. Rain gardens are a beacon of sustainable innovation in this scenario. Unlike traditional drainage systems, which often drain stormwater, rain gardens are designed to capture, absorb and naturally filter this water, reducing flood risk and replenishing groundwater.
In collaboration with the Borough of Lambeth, we completed 34 rain gardens spanning a collective area of over 300m2, strategically dispersed across nine distinct locales. Our design philosophy embraced both resilience and beauty. We've infused the gardens with thousands of robust, radiant species known for their drought resistance, including Verbenas, Salvias, and a diverse array of grasses. Additionally, we've planted 27 trees, such as the elegant Ginkgos, Amelanchier, and Hornbeam. These trees not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also promise to shade and cool the streets, offering a natural solution to the increasing urban heat.
Completed planting in the Oval area, Lambeth.
The Rain Gardens were key to this project. Lambeth's streets, like many urban areas, face the dual challenges of managing excess rainwater and creating green spaces. Rain Gardens address both these issues. They not only provide a sustainable drainage solution but also introduce green pockets into the urban landscape, enhancing aesthetics and biodiversity. By integrating these gardens, we're not just managing water; we're transforming urban spaces into eco-friendly habitats, promoting biodiversity, and making Lambeth a greener, more sustainable borough.
Some of the locations include low-level planters for local residents to plant allotment-style fruits and vegetables and benches for people to stop and rest on. Cycle hoops have also been installed to encourage a greener way of getting around the ever-evolving Borough.
This comes as part of a green wave of improvements that Lambeth council are rolling out, including Parklets in the near future.
The Benefits of Rain Gardens
By integrating plants and natural elements into urban spaces, Rain Garden SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System) offer a range of benefits:
Natural Flood Defence: Rain gardens and bioswales act as a buffer, capturing and slowing down the flow of stormwater. This reduces the risk of surface water flooding, especially during heavy downpours, ensuring our streets remain navigable and homes protected.
Water Pollution Reduction: Rain gardens are natural filters. As water seeps through, pollutants, such as oils and heavy metals from roads, are trapped and neutralised, ensuring that cleaner water enters our groundwater systems and local waterways.
Groundwater Recharge: By allowing water to percolate into the ground, rain gardens contribute to the replenishment of underground aquifers, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the community.
Enhanced Biodiversity: With a mix of hardy, vibrant, and drought-tolerant species, Rain Gardens become a haven for local flora and fauna. By introducing a variety of plants, they attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, fostering a mini-ecosystem right in the heart of urban areas. From Verbenas and Salvias to grasses and trees like Ginkgos and Hornbeam, these planters are a biodiversity hotspot.
Cooling Effect: As cities grapple with rising temperatures, Rain Gardens offer a natural cooling solution. The trees and plants absorb sunlight, providing shade and reducing the urban heat island effect.
Mental Well-being: The biophilic design benefits of Rain Gardens are not just ecological but also psychological. Green spaces have been linked to improved mental well-being, reduced stress, and enhanced cognitive function.
Incorporating rain gardens into our urban planning is not just a nod to sustainability; it's a commitment to a greener, healthier, and more resilient future.
Summary
Lambeth's kerbside strategy is a visionary approach to rethinking urban spaces. With a commitment to allocate 25% of kerbside funding to support climate resilience, the strategy is a bold step towards a greener future. But what does this mean for Lambeth residents?
For many households in Lambeth, the kerbside is an underutilised space. Whether it's the lack of outdoor space or the absence of a car, the kerbside remains an untapped resource. The strategy's Priority 2, 'Creating Places for People', aims to change this by converting parking bays into vibrant planting areas. These green pockets not only add to the aesthetic appeal of streets, but also have a number of biophilic design benefits.
