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Gardens Paved Over: UK Cities Sink Under Rain
18 Nov
Summary
- Over half of UK front gardens are now paved, increasing flood risks.
- Urban green spaces like gardens cool cities and absorb rainwater.
- Permeable driveways offer a solution to balance cars and nature.
Front gardens across the UK are rapidly disappearing under concrete and paving, with over 54% now sealed surfaces. This trend significantly heightens the risk of urban flooding, especially as climate change intensifies rainfall. Urban green spaces are vital for managing excess rainwater and cooling city environments through natural processes like plant transpiration.
The loss of permeable garden areas means more rainwater becomes surface run-off, overwhelming drainage systems. Research highlights that 55% of rainfall in built-up areas turns into run-off, compared to only 10% in green areas. Gardens act as natural sponges, slowing down and absorbing water, thus preventing flash floods and aiding groundwater recharge.
Fortunately, solutions exist. Permeable paving materials and 'rain gardens' can integrate car parking needs with effective water management. These approaches allow plants to grow through driveways or create dedicated soak-away areas, helping to purify run-off and reduce flooding while maintaining urban biodiversity.
