Grosvenor Square in London, which has undergone a 25 million pound restoration, will reopen to the public on 20 July.
Internationally renowned planting professor Nigel Dunnett, who passed away in April of this year, developed the planting strategy for the reimagining of Grosvenor Square, which stands among his final completed projects.
Nigel believed that urban landscapes should work for both people and nature, and the planting of this historic project is reflective of that ethos. Planting in the square has increased from less than one per cent of the space to almost half, with 70,000 new plants across 63 species, 88,000 bulbs, 44 trees and two wetland areas introduced.
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It is only the fourth time in Grosvenor Square's 300 year history that it has been redesigned. This time the project was originated by London-based architecture practice Tonkin Liu and delivered by design practice BDP. The new design aims to tackle biodiversity loss, urban flooding and rising temperatures.
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The result of a decade-long plan, the square represents a rethink of the way we see urban green spaces and will provide a calm and rich environment for people in the heart of the city. With our changing climate in mind, where wet winters and hot summers are becoming the norm, the park has been redesigned with resilience at its core. The square will be able to absorb 1.4 million litres of stormwater, helping London to deal with erratic weather in the future.
Visitors are encouraged to linger and explore, with new woodland planting as well as seasonal gardens, pathways and additional seating areas. In the weeks before opening, ducks, butterflies and dragonflies have already been spotted using the site, which will become a much-needed space for wildlife in London, becoming a richer and more diverse environment as the planting matures.
The space was shaped with the feedback of over 7000 Londoners, who asked for a park that was more welcoming, easier to navigate and safer after dark, as well as enjoyable to be in year-round. A new education centre will offer opportunities for local people to learn about biodiversity, the environment and climate change.
James Raynor, Chief Executive of the Grosvenor Property, said: “When we approached the redesign of Grosvenor Square, we challenged ourselves to consider not only what looks good, but also what the city actually needs. The result is a public garden where climate resilience, biodiversity and access are built into every part of the design. It is both a response to the climate challenges cities face today and a gift to the people of London."
