St James Quarter, Edinburgh
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:
City of Edinburgh Council: Project oversight and strategic alignment with environmental goals.
OPEN Edinburgh: Design and planning of the urban landscape.
Laing O’Rourke: Construction management and implementation.
MacColl and Stokes: Landscaping: Execution of the tree planting and landscaping.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
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:
City of Edinburgh Council: Project oversight and strategic alignment with environmental goals.
OPEN Edinburgh: Design and planning of the urban landscape.
Laing O’Rourke: Construction management and implementation.
MacColl and Stokes: Landscaping: Execution of the tree planting and landscaping.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
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 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.
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 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 necessary soil volume for tree root growth in urban environments.
- Castle Tree Grilles (3 units): Protects tree bases and integrates aesthetically with the surrounding pavement.
- Arborvents (6 units): This product ensures adequate aeration for tree roots, which is crucial for tree health in compact urban soils.
The tree planting consisted of a ‘two cells deep’ configuration, ensuring robust root support and growth. The linked tree pits facilitated a shared resource and stability among the trees, promoting healthy and resilient growth. Additionally, the grid system alignment ensured that the trees were precisely aligned with the seating wall, creating an aesthetically pleasing environment.
St James Quarter aims to set a precedent for future urban developments in Edinburgh and beyond. Integrating green spaces within a bustling city centre addresses environmental goals while enhancing the quality of urban life. This project models how urban redevelopment can balance commercial, social, and environmental needs.
This scheme highlights the potential for urban redevelopment projects to enhance city living by integrating natural elements, promoting sustainability and fostering community engagement.
GreenBlue Urban Products installed:
- RootSpace G2 provides the necessary soil volume for tree root growth in urban environments.
- Castle Tree Grilles (3 units): Protects tree bases and integrates aesthetically with the surrounding pavement.
- Arborvents (6 units): This product ensures adequate aeration for tree roots, which is crucial for tree health in compact urban soils.
The tree planting consisted of a ‘two cells deep’ configuration, ensuring robust root support and growth. The linked tree pits facilitated a shared resource and stability among the trees, promoting healthy and resilient growth. Additionally, the grid system alignment ensured that the trees were precisely aligned with the seating wall, creating an aesthetically pleasing environment.
St James Quarter aims to set a precedent for future urban developments in Edinburgh and beyond. Integrating green spaces within a bustling city centre addresses environmental goals while enhancing the quality of urban life. This project models how urban redevelopment can balance commercial, social, and environmental needs.
This scheme highlights the potential for urban redevelopment projects to enhance city living by integrating natural elements, promoting sustainability and fostering community engagement.
