Urban Greening Factor Introduced in London's Planning Policy
Urban Greening Primer at School of Specification: Exploring the Urban Greening Factor
The Urban Greening Factor (UGF) is a new tool aimed at improving the quality and quantity of green infrastructure in London's developments. It has been integrated into the London Plan Policy G5, with the goal of enhancing the preservation and creation of green spaces within the city.
Understanding the Urban Greening Factor
The UGF is a system used to evaluate the greening provided by a development proposal, taking into account both the quantity and quality of urban green spaces. This tool supports better planning and improved interventions for London's hardworking green infrastructure network.
Incorporating UGF into Design Process
To maximize UGF scores, it's essential to consider this factor at the initial stages of the design process using a holistic landscape-led approach. This approach encourages buildings to support quality landscaping rather than accommodating it afterward. Landscape architects' early engagement is recommended to explore all practical opportunities for achieving higher UGF scores.
To achieve this, professionals should refer to local and regional green infrastructure plans, maps, and resources. This process helps maximize the potential for greening the site while providing urban greening solutions tailored to the site's unique needs.
Calculating the UGF
UGF is calculated through the use of weighted factors (or factors) for each surface cover typology on a project. These factors, scored from 0 to 1, reflect each covering's habitat potential and contribution to natural ecosystems. The calculator, available from the relevant planning authority's database, multiplies the area of each surface type by its factor. The final score is obtained by dividing the collated score by the total site area, resulting in the overall UGF score.
UGF Factor Values and Their Impact
The UGF factor values for each surface cover typology are generally arranged in a descending order, with higher-scoring surface types requiring larger areas within the site boundaries. Examples of high-scoring surface types include semi-natural vegetation and wetlands. On the other hand, low-scoring surface types offer fewer ecological benefits, such as amenity grassland and sealed surfaces.
Learn More About Urban Greening Factor
To learn more about UGF, visit Rob Beswick's School of Specification module dedicated to this topic. For registration and course details, visit https://www.schoolofspecification.co.uk/courses/introduction-to-the-urban-greening-factor and https://www.schoolofspecification.co.uk/register/.
When integrating the Urban Greening Factor into urban development projects, best practices such as adaptable planning, continuous assessment, and data collection play a crucial role in creating more sustainable and resilient cities. These practices take into account factors like vegetation density, land use, rainfall, and climate data, as well as urban design principles and international collaboration.
By adhering to these best practices, urban development projects can effectively incorporate the Urban Greening Factor, promoting improved stormwater management, air quality, thermal comfort, and fostering sustainable urban transformation.
- Integrating the Urban Greening Factor (UGF) into home-and-garden design can enhance the sustainability of living spaces by promoting better use of urban green spaces. This includes prioritizing high-scoring surface types like semi-natural vegetation and wetlands.
- Adopting a sustainable-living approach in urban developments, such as incorporating UGF principles and best practices, can lead to the creation of more resilient cities with improved air quality, stormwater management, and thermal comfort. This ensures a lifestyle that benefits both the environment and residents.
