How has the Stormwater been used since project completion? 

Will Packolyk from EDA Planning + Urban Design observed minimal effluents being discharged from the system, which indicates how effective using a Stratavault pit is for capturing high level rain events and using the water to irrigate onsite trees is. This not only reduces the strain on the city's infrastructure by managing the initial surge of stormwater but also mitigates the risk of on-site and infrastructure flooding, all while providing a valuable source of water for the trees.

Related: Sustainable ways to Manage Stormwater

The retention of stormwater has also fostered the development of a robust tree canopy and led to a half-inch increase in tree trunk diameter during the initial two years of growth. Will's emphasised the system's efficiency in lessening the burden on the city's infrastructure, enhancing safety and overall well-being for the school community. By redirecting stormwater into a purposeful and sustainable use, such as the Stratavault tree pit, the system not only safeguards the school but also ensures that vital public spaces remain accessible and safe during severe weather events.

Is Blue Green Infrastructure the future of Stormwater Management?

The decision to use stormwater runoff to nourish the trees represents a industry shift in the way stormwater is being managed in urban landscaping developments. This synergy between stormwater management and urban forestry takes a page from nature to create a sustainable ecosystem not usually present in urban environments. Trees, with their deep-rooted capacity to absorb water, not only thrive in the conditions soil vaults create, also actively contribute to the improvement of air quality, the mitigation of the urban heat island effect through shade and evapotranspiration, and increase the overall aesthetic of the space.

The integration of the Stratavault soil vault for stormwater management has proven to be a multi-faceted success story and we believe stormwater management that uses both blue and green infrastructure is the future making it a model for sustainable urban development.

‘Stratavault is by far the easier product in this technology to worth with. It is simpler to train our staff. It allows less opportunities for mistakes, due to the simplicity of the install and the structure."

Kris Sloan
Owner
Cutting Edge Landscapes 

What Trees were Planted? 

Japanese Lilacs were chosen as the ideal tree species for this project due to their suitability for the Canadian climate and their numerous benefits for a school location. These trees, with their compact and sturdy nature, offer more than just shade; they have showy, fragrant blooms that will enhance the aesthetics of the school's surroundings. Additionally, their resistance to most pests and diseases makes them a low-maintenance choice, aligning perfectly with the school's commitment to sustainability. 

Contact 

Citygreen Urban Greening Consultants are available to sit down with you and explore how we can transform your urban space into a thriving, sustainable, and environmentally friendly environment. Whether you’re a municipality or landscape architect our team is available to design, install, and deliver better outcomes for your trees & stormwater management strategies.   

A Vision for a Vibrant CBD

Tamworth is a vibrant regional city located on the Peel River in the middle of New South Wales. Known as the ‘Country Music Capital of Australia’, it is celebrated for its rich musical heritage and hosts the internationally renowned Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth. Beyond its musical fame, Tamworth boasts a diverse and thriving community, offering plenty of country charm.

The heart of Tamworth CBD, Peel Street, is a hub for distant towns and farmers to visit, work and play. During Tamworth's famous week-long ‘Toyota Country Music Festival’ Peel Street is closed to traffic and transforms into a lively pedestrian thoroughfare filled with bustling markets and lively buskers and performer stages up and down the street.

Recognizing the opportunity to breathe new life into adjacent Fitzroy Street, Tamworth Regional Council embarked on a comprehensive revitalization project in December 2017 to help integrate the underutilized street into the CBD and help bring life to the businesses by adding a place for people to congregate with lighting, trees for shade, and street furniture with misting and ‘living umbrellas’.

Tree Growth Comparison

In 2023, Citygreen conducted a site visit and observed the impressive growth of the Chinese Elms since their planting. Citygreen's Stratavault infrastructure plays a vital role in supporting this remarkable tree growth. By providing an optimal environment with uncompacted soil, the trees can establish extensive root systems within the vault.

This innovative design not only prevents root damage to city infrastructure, such as roads and pavements, but also ensures that the trees receive essential water and oxygen. Permeable pavements allow oxygen and rainfall to seep through the pavement into the soil vault enabling the root system to breathe, while a snorkel system with integrated piping is included at the base of each tree.

This system enables Tamworth Regional Council's team to effectively hydrate and manage the trees, even during the frequent droughts experienced in Australia's harsh climate.

Development of Fitzroy street into a pedestrian focused CBD street.

Benefits to the Community and Businesses

The tree planting initiative in Fitzroy Street has had a profoundly positive impact on the community and local businesses. The once-dull streetscape has been completely transformed into a vibrant and inviting environment adorned with lush greenery. This visual enhancement has greatly improved the aesthetics of the area, creating a more appealing and welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.

Moreover, the revitalized streetscape has not only enhanced the overall appeal of Fitzroy Street but also positively impacted local businesses. The presence of greenery and the inviting ambiance created by the trees have attracted more foot traffic to the area. 

“Fitzroy Street is now truly part of Tamworth’s busy CBD, and is particularly popular during Tamworth’s hot summers as a great place to take a break while shopping in Peel Street.”

Tamworth Regional Council

As a result, businesses located along Fitzroy Street have experienced increased visibility, footfall, and customer engagement. The combination of natural beauty, shade, and a pleasant atmosphere has made the street a desirable destination for residents and visitors, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and vitality of the local community.

Advantages of Stratavault for the Project

Stratavault installed in curved pit

Citygreen Stratavault™ revolutionizes tree-planting projects in urban environments. By maximizing soil volume for tree roots and providing a stable base for roads and pavement, Citygreen Stratavault™ ensures optimal conditions for thriving city trees. With its robust and interconnected module matrix, installation becomes effortless, allowing trees to flourish in even the most challenging environments.

Tamworth Regional Council worked with specialized consultants on the project and their selection of Stratavault for this project was driven by the several key advantages it offered:

“Stratavault was selected for this project due to the significant quantities of underground utilities located in Fitzroy Street, which were constrained by significant stormwater infrastructure, water, sewer, power, communications, and gas services. This meant that containing the root systems of any new trees planted was a significant concern, which was alleviated through the installation of Stratavault. As Fitzroy Street was seen as a multi-use development, the two vault sites are also located with the area intended to carry traffic loading during events”

Tamworth Regional Council

Stratavaults innovative design facilitated ideal growing conditions, root containment, and protection of underground services while promoting healthy tree growth. Additionally, its load-bearing capabilities ensured durability, making it ideal for a multi-use area such as Fitzroy Street.

A Commitment to Sustainability

The commitment to sustainability is at the core of the Tamworth Regional Council's vision for the development of Fitzroy Street. Although the initial plan did not include a complete tree canopy cover, the importance of maintaining the shade provided by the existing trees has become a long-term priority for the council.

Tamworth Regional Council recognizes the significance of green spaces and the benefits they bring to the community and the environment. They are dedicated to the greening and cooling of the region, aligning their efforts with their Blueprint 100 strategy. This strategy emphasizes a responsible and sustainable approach to urban development, aiming to enhance the quality of life for residents while preserving and protecting the picturesque landscape Tamworth inhabits

Conclusion

The project stands as a testament to the positive impact of strategic tree planting and sustainable urban development. Through the innovative application of Stratavault, Tamworth's surrounding CBD was able to be better utilized and incorporated into the greater CBD streetscape for a greener, more attractive environment. The project's success is evident in the revitalized streetscape, the community's enjoyment of shaded areas, and the long-term commitment to sustainability.

If you are interested in learning more about Stratavault or would like to talk to one of our Citygreen Consultants about an upcoming project. Contact us below

“It’s a great experience for our city as a whole to understand where the future of tree planting in heavily civil constructed areas can be going with cells in the ground.”

Nigel Hobden,
Manager City Presentation
Orange City Council

“We saw an opportunity to implement low impact development to deal with stormwater management, but also to ensure that whatever trees were being proposed, had adequate soil volume”

- Natalie Goulet-Sorenson
  Ground Cubed Landscape Architects

Kinsmen Carpark Project Challenges

In Canada, capturing stormwater is a mandatory requirement for all new constructions, as a means to effectively manage water and prevent a higher level of pollutants from entering municipalities. In recent years there has been a surge of architects, engineers, and planners seeking greener underground solutions that maximize natural resources and landscape.

Citygreen's Stratavault offers a cohesive solution that connects stormwater management with landscape tree design. Instead of stormwater immediately entering the city infrastructure and depleting the valuable water resource by taking it out of area, our Stratashield product directs the stormwater into the Stratavault matrix.

This innovative system allows trees and soil to utilize the water, effectively cleansing it of contaminants before permitting the cleaner excess water to enter the pit's base chamber. This design enables the recycling of water for on-site irrigation & a slower release back into the city's infrastructure during periods of lower demand

click to view full animation

As Eric Keller from Norwood Waterworks highlights

“By planning projects to direct stormwater runoff into soil cells rather than any form of cage or pond, developers would be able to meet any soil volume or stormwater management goals in one easy way versus having to look into several different forms of management”

Choosing the Right Trees for Edmonton's Climate

When selecting trees for a shade canopy in Edmonton's climate, it's important to choose species that are well-suited to the local environment. Edmonton has a continental climate with long, cold winters and short, warm summers, so it's important to choose trees that can withstand these conditions.

For this project, Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) was chosen due to its exceptional qualities as a shade tree in Edmonton, Canada. With its cold-hardy nature and ability to withstand harsh winters, Bur Oak thrives in Edmonton's climate. The tree's wide-spreading canopy provides ample shade for the carpark, shielding vehicles from the sun's heat. Its deep root system ensures drought tolerance, making it well-suited for Edmonton's dry summers. Moreover, Bur Oak is a long-lived species, guaranteeing lasting shade and beauty for years to come for the car park. This native tree also supports local wildlife with its abundant acorns, fostering biodiversity within the park.

Why Stratavault?

For this project, collecting the stormwater was crucial in the overall design, as it needed to account for a 1 in 100 year storm event and the elevated levels of contaminants typically found in parking lot runoff due to the city's winter practices. Snow removal and salting were a concern as the current stormwater system discharged directly into the North Saskatchewan River. Tyson Buckley, Design Lead at Citygreen, highlights the advantages of Stratavault, stating,

“The advantage of using Stratavault over a standard containment tank on a site would be primarily the full-season use of on-site stormwater versus the storm catchment at high rain events.”

The utilization of the soil vault as a dedicated area for tree root growth, in conjunction with its stormwater containment capabilities, presents a holistic approach to site design. By allowing trees to establish healthy roots within the vault, the system enhances overall tree stability and longevity. Simultaneously, the stormwater containment function ensures that excess water is effectively managed, reducing the risk of flooding and preserving the quality of water resources within the surrounding environment.

Additionally, Nolan Halonen, Landscape Architectural Technologist from Ground Cubed Landscape Architects highlighted the following reasons Stratavault was chosen for this project:

• 100% Recycled Plastic: Stratavault modules are made out of 100% recycled polymer plastic. No virgin plastics are used, leading to a more sustainable outcome.
• Workability: The structural workability of Stratavault when factoring in the engineering requirements of parking lots and drive lanes exceeded that of other options
• Void space: Stratavaults 90% void space meant that they were able to achieve the soil volume and stormwater retention requirements with less units

Kinsmen Carpark Project Outcome

In conclusion, the outcome of the project showcases the successful integration of tree canopy shading and stormwater management within Kinsman Sports Centre's carpark in Edmonton. This sustainable solution not only provides comfort and protection from the sun's heat but also contributes to water conservation, local biodiversity, and the long-term viability of the carpark infrastructure. By incorporating innovative and environmentally friendly approaches, the project sets an example for future developments seeking to enhance both functionality and sustainability.

Need more trees? Talk to our team.