How Nature Impacts Urban Design

Trees are the unsung heroes of urban stormwater management, providing a natural solution to the growing challenges of urbanization. Through interception, their canopies capture rainfall, reducing surface runoff and allowing more water to seep into the soil. Their deep-root systems further enhance infiltration by breaking up compacted soil, increasing permeability, and promoting groundwater recharge. This process not only alleviates flooding but also helps maintain the natural hydrological balance of cities. Beyond controlling water volume, trees improve water quality by filtering out pollutants like heavy metals and sediments as stormwater percolates through the soil, reducing the impact on aquatic ecosystems. Beyond their role in water management, trees combat the urban heat island effect by providing shade and cooling their surroundings through evapotranspiration, lowering surface temperatures and mitigating heat-related stormwater impacts. Cities are increasingly recognizing their value, integrating trees into green infrastructure projects like bioswales, rain gardens, and tree box filters. Innovative designs, such as Hoboken’s ResilienCity Park, showcase how trees can be seamlessly woven into urban planning to enhance both functionality and livability. As urban areas expand, prioritizing tree-based stormwater solutions will be crucial in building sustainable, resilient cities that work with nature rather than against it.

🌧️ We waste millions of liters of runoff water in cities — every time it rains. Instead of letting it rush into storm drains and out to sea, we can infiltrate it back into the ground, restoring natural water cycles and recharging precious aquifers. 💧 🌳 Enter: Trees. Our quiet climate heroes absorb stormwater, filter out pollutants, and literally cool our cities. In Colombia, research shows urban trees can reduce city temps by up to 2°C — that’s a big deal for heat resilience. 🥵➡️😊 But the benefits don’t stop there. Trees offer: ✅ Free oxygen – Nature’s original air purifier ✅ Air filtration – Cutting harmful pollutants ✅ Biodiversity support – Shelter for birds, bees, and beyond ✅ Food security – Fruit trees in cities = better nutrition ✅ Stormwater control – Reducing flood risks and erosion 🌿 Nature-based solutions like urban tree planting, green roofs, and permeable pavements aren’t just pretty — they’re essential climate infrastructure. Cities that embrace them are building climate resilience + healthier communities. 📚 Sources: UN-Habitat: The Critical Role of Nature-based Solutions World Cities Report 2024 🖼️ Illustration by @_iarchitect #BiophilicDesign #SustainableCities #UrbanForestry #ClimateAdaptation #NatureBasedSolutions #GreenInfrastructure #LandscapeArchitecture #ResilientCities #StormwaterManagement #ThisIsLandscapeArchitecture

🌧️ After a devastating $1.8 billion flood in 2011, Copenhagen made a bold decision: transform into the world's first comprehensive "sponge city." What makes this remarkable? The city is combining nature-based solutions (wetlands, parks, permeable surfaces) with advanced engineering (underground tunnels, storage basins) to absorb, store, and slowly release water back into the natural cycle. The results so far: 🌊 Flood risk reduced by 30-50% in priority areas 🏗️ Hundreds of projects completed with hundreds more underway 🌍 Cities from Auckland to New York now studying Copenhagen's model The Danish/Copenhagen model has long been recognized around the world as leading best practices in climate adaptation. Cities facing any type of climate-related flooding—whether inland or coastal, riverine or sea level rise—can take note of this comprehensive approach. This is not merely about managing water—it is about reimagining what infrastructure can be. Karen Blixens Square pulses with student life while silently preparing for the next deluge. Parks become reservoirs. Bike shelters capture rainwater. Every surface, every space serves multiple masters with elegant precision. As climate chaos intensifies globally, Copenhagen stands as proof that cities need not merely endure the future—they can shape it with intention and grace. The project may not be complete (originally slated for 2032), but it is already rewriting the rules of what urban resilience can achieve. I am extraordinarily proud that Ramboll has been part of this transformative journey, helping develop climate adaptation masterplans for several areas of Copenhagen—and bringing similar expertise to cities like New York. As our colleague Christian Nyerup Nielsen notes with profound foresight: "We have to anticipate the extreme weather events a century from now." It is work like this that drew me to Ramboll. This type of multifunctional urban infrastructure represents the cities I envision across our planet's future—each with its own unique contextual interpretation of how design can serve multiple purposes simultaneously, each a testament to human ingenuity rising to meet our greatest challenge. Climate adaptation does not demand sacrifice—it can elevate everything we value about urban life. When we design with nature as our partner rather than our adversary, we do not just survive—we flourish. This is not just Copenhagen's story. This is the blueprint for how civilization adapts, evolves, and ultimately transcends the climate crisis. Many thanks to Yale Environment 360 for illuminating this extraordinary work! https://lnkd.in/evBy7pEe #ClimateAdaptation #UrbanPlanning #Sustainability #Innovation #ClimateResilience #Ramboll

When new neighborhoods develop, we have a chance to treat our waterways better than they’ve been in the past. Even a small ephemeral first order stream holds value for flood conveyance, open space, water quality, ecology, and giving people access to nature in their own backyard.  In this example we are constructing a naturalized riffle-pool system that is intended to mimic natural stream processes in an urbanized setting. Because the hydrology will be very unnatural as the neighborhood builds out, we can’t rely upon the native stream bed materials to remain stable. The corridor width, plan form, slope, and cross section were geomorphically informed based on hydrology, geology, and topography.  The riffle material is comprised of imported void-filled riprap. But unlike riffles found in nature, the rock in these structures is not intended to move even in a 100-yr flood because there is no naturally occurring riffle material upstream that could move in as the stream shifts around.  As the neighborhood develops there will likely be a small base flow that will form to help support healthy native riparian vegetation. Until then we have plenty of revegetation work to do to help this corridor adapt to its new normal. #land #landdevelopment #urban #urbanization #landplanning #planning #urbanplanning #greeninfrastructure #greenway #nature #naturebasedsolutions #natureinthecity #water #construction #design #AEC #aecindustry #engineering #project #publicworks #floodcontrol #floodplainmanagement #flood #storm #stormwater #APWA #ACEC #ASFPM #CASFM #ASLA #AEC #ASCE #EWRI #NASFM #APA #milehighflooddistrict #milehighcity #colorado #project #floodprotection #stream #streamrestoration #river #riverrestoration #infrastructure #infrastructureprojects #civilengineering #civilengineer #cowx

City Linear Parks and Trails ++ [improving communities] City linear parks and trails are essential tools for enhancing the quality of life in urban areas. They create cozy environments that promote leisure, exercise, and social interaction while also contributing to economic development and increasing property values. By investing in these green spaces, cities can cultivate healthier, happier, and more vibrant communities.  -- Well-designed linear parks and trails can stimulate local economies by attracting visitors and encouraging foot traffic to nearby businesses. Events, markets, and recreational activities held in these spaces can further boost economic activity and support local entrepreneurs. -- Access to green spaces has been shown to improve mental well-being. Spending time in nature can reduce stress, enhance mood, and promote overall mental health. Linear parks and trails serve as essential spaces for residents to unwind and rejuvenate.

We sustainability professionals talk a lot about how we can help "save nature". Reading this UN report on Nature Based Infrastructure, I believe we could spend more time on how nature can help save US! Nature Based Infrastructure isn't just a theoretical concept to increase biodiversity and meet the Paris Agreement and the SDGs. It's one part protecting function of key infrastructure and three parts IMPROVING the function of infrastructure. Building better. Here, in California in the midst of a "century storm" (that really wasn't so bad, unless you ask my inundated, downslope neighbors), parks absorbed water and well planted, bush and tree-covered hillsides retained their dirt, with wetlands now busy cleaning up the massive runoff carrying pesticides from agriculture. Planning for those nature based services when designing the city, or buildings, or gardens, is part of Nature Based Infrastructure. Resilience. Because let's just say the areas that were cleared for views or paved for parking lots and apartment buildings didn't fare quite as well... Nature Based Infrastructure gives so much more than just the basic function we expect it to provide. Take the example of a hospital. Integrating green spaces, tree plantings, and perhaps a green wall not only lowers cooling costs in summer and improves indoor climate overall, it improves recovery times for patients. Do the same for a school and you improve learning, retention and student health. While of course improving outcomes and reducing risk of flooding or landslides when the next "century storm" hits in another year or two... These are very simplistic examples to get you started, the report goes into more depth of how to use Nature Based Infrastructure wether for city planning, the arts, water reservoir construction or coastal protection. It's really quite marvelous, beautiful, and much needed as we prepare for climate change with increased frequencies of extreme weather events. The practical, win-win-win solutions here make me more hopeful for the survival (and thriving!) of our species than any of the alternative energy strategies dominating US news! Thanks for alerting me to the report Peter Polanowski MSc., EPt! https://lnkd.in/gt7uFNXA

🌳 Urban Green Spaces: A Prescription for Healthier Cities 🏙️ As cities continue to grow worldwide, we face a critical question: How can we design urban environments that promote both density AND health? Our recent research published in Communications Earth & Environment provides compelling evidence that urban greening—even in the most densely populated areas—can significantly reduce premature mortality. Key findings from our global analysis of 15,917 urban areas: ✅ Greening urban areas could prevent ~700,000 premature deaths annually ✅ The highest impact occurs in the most population-dense areas (54 deaths prevented per 100,000 people) ✅ Benefits are particularly pronounced in lower-income countries ✅ Urban compactness and greenness can coexist with proper planning The bottom line: We don't have to choose between density and green space. Strategic urban greening—through street trees, green roofs, parks, and green infrastructure—can deliver substantial public health benefits even in our most crowded cities. As we face growing urbanization and climate challenges, this research reinforces that nature-based solutions are not just "nice to have"—they're essential for creating healthy, sustainable urban futures. What strategies is your city using to integrate green spaces with urban development? Let's discuss in the comments! 🌱 #UrbanHealth #PublicHealth #GreenCities #SustainableUrbanDevelopment #ClimateAction #HealthyPlanet Read the full study: https://lnkd.in/eghFxCZX

Lawns Should Be Area Rugs, Not Wall-to-Wall Carpet What if our landscapes weren’t just designed but alive? Too often, we treat green space as decoration—manicured, controlled, and static. But real sustainability isn’t about maintenance; it’s about movement, biodiversity, and resilience. Rebecca McMackin’s TED Talk challenges us to rethink green spaces: “Lawns should be area rugs, not wall-to-wall carpet.” Instead of vast, resource-intensive grass lawns, what if we designed dynamic, layered ecosystems that support life and adapt over time? Experience-Driven Green Design Rewilding isn’t just about plants—it’s about how people engage with nature. Thoughtful landscape design can: 🌾 Create Sensory Moments – Textures, scents, and sounds (rustling grasses, buzzing pollinators, shifting light) deepen our connection to the space. 🦋 Support Life – Diverse plantings attract pollinators and wildlife, turning landscapes into thriving ecosystems rather than sterile backdrops. 🌳 Encourage Interaction – Seating nooks under tree canopies, winding paths through native meadows, and edible gardens invite people to engage with nature. 🏙 Enhance Urban Well-Being – Dynamic landscapes improve air quality, reduce heat, and provide restorative spaces in dense urban environments. 🌱 Shift Perceptions of Beauty – Wild, seasonal, and ecologically rich spaces redefine what we see as “designed.” It’s time to move beyond the ornamental and embrace the functional—landscapes that don’t just exist but thrive. 🔗 Watch the full talk: https://lnkd.in/gXrnnTru

What if a public park wasn’t just green space—but a blueprint for how cities can live and work with nature, not against it? That’s what Confluence Park represents. This unique space on the southside of San Antonio is stewarded by the San Antonio River Foundation, and I was fortunate to get a tour from their Executive Director, Frates Seeligson, who helped lead the transformation of what was once a CPS Energy laydown yard into one of the most thoughtfully designed parks in Texas. In my newest video for Ensemble Texas, we walk through: - Why rainwater management was inspired by nature—not infrastructure - How parametric architecture & creative landscape design from Lake|Flato Architects, Matsys, and Rialto Studio, Inc. created a pavilion that’s both beautiful and functional - And how every design detail—from the paving to the plantings—serves as an educational tool, especially for kids As Frates shared with me: “What if the park is art, instead of just affixing art to the park?” This isn’t just a place to sit or walk—it’s a case study in how public space can restore ecosystems, engage communities, and reconnect us to where we live. 🎥 Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/g5xnTNwH And if you haven’t been to Confluence Park yet, I highly recommend a visit. -- -- And a big thanks to the San Antonio River Authority for their ongoing work—not just at Confluence Park, but across so many of the public spaces that connect us to the San Antonio River. #SustainableCities #NatureBasedDesign #SanAntonioRiver #Texas #GreenSpaces

The USDA Hardiness Zones are shifting northward, altering the way we approach gardening, urban planning, and sustainable design. As climate change accelerates, the familiar USDA Plant Hardiness Zones—a vital guide for gardeners and landscapers—are moving, forcing us to rethink how we select plants and design our environments. But with this challenge comes an opportunity: the integration of biophilic design can not only adapt to these changes but also enhance our connection to nature. Imagine a world where every building and outdoor space not only survives but thrives in the face of climate change. The recent updates to the USDA Hardiness Zones reveal that warming winters are pushing these zones northward. This shift impacts which plants can thrive in specific areas, challenging traditional gardening and landscaping practices. Yet, biophilic design—a concept that integrates natural elements into our built environments—offers a solution. By combining adaptive plant selection with climate-responsive design, we can create spaces that are not only resilient but also promote human well-being. Eco-resorts are leading the way, using these principles to create sustainable, biodiverse environments that offer guests a deep connection with nature. These resorts demonstrate how the convergence of climate-aware design and biophilic principles can create landscapes that support local ecosystems, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the visitor experience. Whether you're a gardener, urban planner, or sustainability advocate, it's time to rethink how we design our spaces. Integrating USDA Hardiness Zones with biophilic design can transform our approach to building and landscaping for a changing world. Join the conversation and let's discuss how we can contribute to a more resilient, sustainable future by embracing these innovative strategies