1. MSc Thesis Project - Aisling Mannion Green Infrastructure in Birmingham city centre

2. Aims The aims of this project are to: Map the existing green infrastructure (GI) Plan potential future GI Assess the benefits of GI

3. The study area New Street Station Birmingham Cathedral ICC Millennium Point Canal Town Hall Canal

4. The need for GI Predicted climate change Summer mean temperature in the West Midlands is predicted to increase by 3.7°C by the 2080s. Urban Heat Island effect may add an extra 3°C. Winter precipitation in the West Midlands is predicted to increase by 17% by the 2080s.

5. The need for GI Risks from climate change High temperature increases air pollution Higher risk of flooding & flood damage Urban areas exacerbate temperature and flood risks Damage to health & higher healthcare costs Higher energy use for cooling & energy costs

6. The need for GI Air quality in Birmingham GI can help to meet EU standards Air quality needs to improve for health reasons Image and investment in Birmingham GI can improve Birmingham’s reputation GI can increase visitor numbers and revenue in rundown areas. GI can make Birmingham more attractive to investors & skilled workers

7. Existing GI in Birmingham city centre

9. Grass, shrubs, flowerbeds 21 ha Water 4 ha Trees 1,120 Green roofs 0.2 ha Total roof area 99.5 ha Green roofs (% of all roofs)0.2 % Impermeable surface area90%

10. Potential GI in Birmingham city centre Birmingham city centre is densely urbanised. Suitable methods for increasing GI here are: – street trees – green roofs – green walls – improving existing parks – SuDS – restoring existing water courses – linking existing green spaces

11. Plan for potential GI The focus is on a route for pedestrians, to connect areas of existing GI New Street Station Birmingham Cathedral ICC Millennium Point Canal Town Hall

12. Potential GI in Birmingham – street level

13. Victoria Square Centenary Square Square by the REP Chamberlain Square The Bullring Curzon Street Potential GI in Birmingham – street trees

14. Potential GI in Birmingham – green roofs

15. Semi-intensive green roof, Chicago Brown roof, Fire & Rescue Authority, Birmingham Intensive green roof, Kensington Roof Gardens, London Extensive green roof, Canary Wharf, London

16. Potential GI in Birmingham – green walls

18. Grass, shrubs, flowerbeds 26 ha Water 4 ha Trees 2,090 Green roofs 32ha Total roof area 99.5 ha Green roofs (% of all roofs)32 % Impermeable surface area70% Potential GI in Birmingham

19. Benefits of Green Infrastructure Mitigates the Urban Heat Island effect Improves air quality Reduces surface runoff Improves health Reduces energy usage for cooling and heating Improves image and investment Improves ecology and biodiversity Provides economic savings

20. Air quality Potential green roofs cover 32 ha – All extensive: removes 2700 kg/yr of air pollutants. – All intensive: removes 3500 kg/yr of air pollutants. (Yang, 2008) Trees: Pollution removal rate 10.8 g/m 2 /yr. (Nowak, 2006) – 2000 trees may remove over 112kg. Benefits of Green Infrastructure - Indicative results

21. Energy savings Potential energy savings from green roofs of 4.15kWh/m 2 /yr. (Banting, 2005) 32 ha of green roofs may save 1.3GWh/yr. Benefits of Green Infrastructure - Indicative results

22. Reduction of surface runoff A typical medium-sized tree can intercept 9000 litres of rainfall per year. If the tree canopy spans 9m 2, then this represents an annual rainfall depth of 1 m. Green roofs have a water storage capacity of 30 – 140 litres/m 2 Total potential water storage of 9.7 million – 45 million litres on green roofs in Birmingham city centre.

23. Thank you for listening!