Located in the London Borough of Camden, Goldhurst Terrace has been transformed through a sustainable streetscape project designed to address surface water flooding while creating a greener, more resilient urban environment.
The scheme forms part of Camden Council’s £2.4m investment to improving flood resilience, expanding urban canopy cover and delivering healthier parks and green spaces. By integrating Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) with high-quality tree planting infrastructure, the project demonstrates how urban streets can be redesigned to manage stormwater naturally while improving the publics local environment.
To support the long-term success of the newly planted street trees and SuDS features, a range of underground solutions from GreenBlue Urban were specified to create optimal soil conditions and enable effective stormwater management.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Located in the London Borough of Camden, Goldhurst Terrace has been transformed through a sustainable streetscape project designed to address surface water flooding while creating a greener, more resilient urban environment.
The scheme forms part of Camden Council’s £2.4m investment to improving flood resilience, expanding urban canopy cover and delivering healthier parks and green spaces. By integrating Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) with high-quality tree planting infrastructure, the project demonstrates how urban streets can be redesigned to manage stormwater naturally while improving the publics local environment.
To support the long-term success of the newly planted street trees and SuDS features, a range of underground solutions from GreenBlue Urban were specified to create optimal soil conditions and enable effective stormwater management.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Reimagining a flood prone residential street
Goldhurst Terrace sits within a part of Camden that has historically experienced surface water flooding during periods of intense rainfall. The street’s topography directs runoff towards lower areas, placing pressure on the drainage network and increasing the risk of localised flooding.
At the same time, like many dense city streets, the area had limited permeable surfaces and restricted soil volumes for tree growth. These conditions can limit tree health, reduce canopy development and prevent green infrastructure from delivering its full environmental potential.
Camden Council sought a solution that could:
The design therefore needed to integrate effective SuDS performance with robust underground tree support systems, capable of functioning within the structural demands of a paved streetscape.
Engineering the underground environment
The Goldhurst Terrace scheme introduces a series of SuDS rain gardens and tree pits designed to capture and store rainwater directly from the street. These planted areas allow rainfall to infiltrate naturally into the ground rather than entering the sewer network. As well as storing water at the base and letting any overflow go through to the combined sewer, if necessary.
To support the long-term success this project and ensure the SuDS system functions effectively, a range of Rain Gardens and Tree Pit products from GreenBlue Urban were installed beneath the pavements and road islands.
RootSpace Soil Cell System
A combination of RootSpace G2 400 and RootSpace G2 800 systems were installed beneath the pavement to create large volumes of uncompacted soil. These modular soil cells provide structural support for paved streets while enabling healthy root growth and water infiltration.
By increasing the available soil volume, the system allows trees to establish strong root architecture and reach their full canopy potential, delivering long-term environmental benefits.
ArborFlow SuDS
The ArborFlow SuDS system helps manage rainfall by directing surface water, landing on the roads and pavement, into the tree pit and surrounding soil volumes. This allows water to be stored, filtered/cleansed and attenuated, reducing the burden on conventional drainage infrastructure.
At the same time, the captured water provides a valuable resource for the trees, supporting their growth and resilience during the hot summer months.
ArborCell
ArborCells are used as a large void and storage facility, providing additional attenuation. Mimicking a free board within a rain garden.
Root Barrier Protection
To protect surrounding infrastructure and utilities, Root Barrier RER600 was installed to manage root direction and prevent potential damage to adjacent surfaces like utilities, paving stones and buildings.
Tree Stability and Aeration
Newly planted trees were stabilised using Underground Guying systems, providing strong anchorage during storms or high winds while maintaining a clean streetscape free from visible stakes. The ArborVent 150 aeration and irrigation systems were also installed to deliver water and oxygen directly to the roots, supporting healthy growth during the critical early years.
Reimagining a flood prone residential street
Goldhurst Terrace sits within a part of Camden that has historically experienced surface water flooding during periods of intense rainfall. The street’s topography directs runoff towards lower areas, placing pressure on the drainage network and increasing the risk of localised flooding.
At the same time, like many dense city streets, the area had limited permeable surfaces and restricted soil volumes for tree growth. These conditions can limit tree health, reduce canopy development and prevent green infrastructure from delivering its full environmental potential.
Camden Council sought a solution that could:
The design therefore needed to integrate effective SuDS performance with robust underground tree support systems, capable of functioning within the structural demands of a paved streetscape.
Engineering the underground environment
The Goldhurst Terrace scheme introduces a series of SuDS rain gardens and tree pits designed to capture and store rainwater directly from the street. These planted areas allow rainfall to infiltrate naturally into the ground rather than entering the sewer network. As well as storing water at the base and letting any overflow go through to the combined sewer, if necessary.
To support the long-term success this project and ensure the SuDS system functions effectively, a range of Rain Gardens and Tree Pit products from GreenBlue Urban were installed beneath the pavements and road islands.
RootSpace Soil Cell System
A combination of RootSpace G2 400 and RootSpace G2 800 systems were installed beneath the pavement to create large volumes of uncompacted soil. These modular soil cells provide structural support for paved streets while enabling healthy root growth and water infiltration.
By increasing the available soil volume, the system allows trees to establish strong root architecture and reach their full canopy potential, delivering long-term environmental benefits.
ArborFlow SuDS
The ArborFlow SuDS system helps manage rainfall by directing surface water, landing on the roads and pavement, into the tree pit and surrounding soil volumes. This allows water to be stored, filtered/cleansed and attenuated, reducing the burden on conventional drainage infrastructure.
At the same time, the captured water provides a valuable resource for the trees, supporting their growth and resilience during the hot summer months.
ArborCell
ArborCells are used as a large void and storage facility, providing additional attenuation. Mimicking a free board within a rain garden.
Root Barrier Protection
To protect surrounding infrastructure and utilities, Root Barrier RER600 was installed to manage root direction and prevent potential damage to adjacent surfaces like utilities, paving stones and buildings.
Tree Stability and Aeration
Newly planted trees were stabilised using Underground Guying systems, providing strong anchorage during storms or high winds while maintaining a clean streetscape free from visible stakes. The ArborVent 150 aeration and irrigation systems were also installed to deliver water and oxygen directly to the roots, supporting healthy growth during the critical early years.
Greener Streets for Camden
The completed Goldhurst Terrace project demonstrates how green infrastructure can deliver multiple environmental and community benefits within a dense and populated road. Rain gardens and SuDS feature capture and manage stormwater at source, helping to reduce surface water runoff and alleviate pressure on the drainage network.
The scheme supports Camden’s wider strategy for climate resilience by increasing permeable surfaces, improving stormwater management and providing urban cooling through expanded tree canopy. GreenBlue Urban continues to support the council through presentations on the positive effects the project continues to have for the area.
As cities continue to prioritise climate resilience and urban greening, projects such as Goldhurst Terrace demonstrate how thoughtfully designed tree infrastructure can play a vital role in shaping healthier and more sustainable communities.
Greener Streets for Camden
The completed Goldhurst Terrace project demonstrates how green infrastructure can deliver multiple environmental and community benefits within a dense and populated road. Rain gardens and SuDS feature capture and manage stormwater at source, helping to reduce surface water runoff and alleviate pressure on the drainage network.
The scheme supports Camden’s wider strategy for climate resilience by increasing permeable surfaces, improving stormwater management and providing urban cooling through expanded tree canopy. GreenBlue Urban continues to support the council through presentations on the positive effects the project continues to have for the area.
As cities continue to prioritise climate resilience and urban greening, projects such as Goldhurst Terrace demonstrate how thoughtfully designed tree infrastructure can play a vital role in shaping healthier and more sustainable communities.
