During the coronavirus lockdown, the extent to which we all truly need green spaces to live happy and healthy lives was brought into stark clarity. As around 85%[1] of the UK population live in an urban area, the importance of understanding the benefits these urban green spaces bring is critical to making smart choices about how we invest in, build and maintain them.

A damaging combination of urban development and increasing rainfall means we can no longer expect the urban environment to channel all rainfall into our drainage systems and eventually our waterways. This can lead to major flooding events. As we begin to harness nature to soak up rainfall and ease this pressure, we need to also recognise how sustainable drainage systems are the way forward for society, people and wildlife. The IGNITION project has made the evidence available to begin this conversation.

World Green Roof Day (6th June) is a celebration of green roofs all over the world and the benefits they bring to people and nature. But what can green roofs do for us? The IGNITION project has made the evidence available to begin this conversation.

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