Dutch and UK companies
working together
Ebben Tree Nurseries in Cuijk, the
Netherlands has been growing their
distinctive range of environmentallyfriendly trees and shrubs since 1862. “Our
trees and plants come in many shapes,
sizes and colours and suit a variety of soil
types, “ says Marko Mouwen of Ebben.
“As such, they have many different uses.
We are always happy to share knowledge
with our UK partners to ensure we
create the right atmosphere, encourage
biodiversity and make best use of the
existing infrastructure. Due to the unique
composition of our nursery’s soil and
the absence of stones, we find that our
UK partners are particularly impressed
by how well the new tree types thrive in
British soil.” Ebben generously donated a
multi-stem Purple leaved tree of heaven
(Ailanthus altissima / "purple dragon") to
the City of Manchester, which the Lord
Mayor planted in the city’s Cathedral
Gardens on our Greener Cities day.
Mecanoo, a leading architecture practice
based in Delft with an office in Manchester,
presented their vision of how architecture,
urban planning and landscaping can
combine to create greener, healthier
cities. They drew on their experience of
taking the infrastructure of a city and
making it greener with roof gardens and
parklets (mini gardens in parking spaces).
This vision can be seen in two impressive
Mecanoo projects in Manchester; the
design of HOME, a lively cultural venue,
and the green spaces of NOMA, one the
largest regeneration projects in the UK
with 20 acres of mixed use space. Ongoing
work includes the £200m University of
Manchester Engineering Campus due for
completion in 2019.
68 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 14