GREEN & BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
ST JAMES QUARTER , EDINBURGH
St James Quarter , a sprawling 1.7 million square feet lifestyle district in the heart of Edinburgh , represents one of the UK ’ s most significant city centre transformations . Officially opened by Her Royal Highness , The Princess Royal , the project is set to redefine urban retail and leisure experiences , marking a new era for the city ’ s landscape .
The primary aim of the tree planting initiative at St James Quarter was to enhance the urban environment , providing aesthetic , environmental , and social benefits .
This initiative aligns with Edinburgh City Council ’ s broader goal of planting 250,000 trees over the next decade in collaboration with the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust and Woodland Trust .
Key Stakeholders : BDP : Design Engineers – masterplanning , architecture . City of Edinburgh Council : Project oversight and strategic alignment with environmental goals . OPEN , Optimised Environments – Tree Pit Design Laing O ’ Rourke : Construction management and implementation . MacColl and Stokes : Landscaping : Execution of the tree planting and landscaping
The tree planting at St James Quarter involved landscaping products and careful planning to integrate green spaces into a bustling urban centre .
A significant design challenge was working around existing British Telecom ( BT ) services to ensure that the tree pits and telecoms infrastructure coexisted without impeding each other .
The GreenBlue Urban RootSpace Soil Cell system successfully addressed this challenge , allowing for healthy tree growth while accommodating the necessary urban infrastructure .
Raised steps under the newly planted tree canopy provide a welcoming area for shoppers and workers to enjoy their lunch and fresh air , fostering a community atmosphere . The three trees contribute to the urban canopy , offering shade , improving air quality , and enhancing the overall aesthetic of St James Quarter .
GreenBlue Urban Products installed :
• RootSpace G2 - provides the
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