Councils given practical, science-led guide to greener, healthier and fairer towns
Local authorities hold the power to help communities tackle air pollution, flooding, heatwaves and biodiversity loss – they just need the right support, say the authors of a new ‘How To’ guide for councils.
The newly published Urban Greening ‘How-To’ Toolkit offers clear, science-based guidance developed through the UK Research and Innovation-funded RECLAIM Network Plus – led by the University of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE).
Led by Professor Prashant Kumar, Founding Director of GCARE, in collaboration with councillors, practitioners, researchers and officers, the toolkit focuses on seven key challenges – air pollution, biodiversity, flood risk, health and wellbeing, heat, noise and carbon storage. Each section includes a short, illustrated fact sheet that highlights what works, common pitfalls to avoid and the many benefits of well-designed green and blue infrastructure.
The guide explains how hedges, screens and mixed green infrastructure can reduce roadside pollution when correctly placed and designed. Continuous hedges of around two metres high, with sufficient thickness and species that have complex, waxy or hairy leaves, are most effective, according to the guidance. It also highlights where poor design can make things worse – for example, trees in narrow street canyons that can trap polluted air – and advises choosing low-emitting plant species to prevent the release of volatile organic compounds.
It also recommends prioritising ground-level green infrastructure such as parks, gardens and allotments, alongside wildflower meadows that attract pollinators. Designing for connectivity between green islands allows wildlife to move safely through urban areas, while avoiding invasive species and adopting nature-friendly maintenance – less mowing, no pesticides – supports richer and more resilient ecosystems.
The guide sets out how blue-green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, bioswales, wetlands and permeable paving, can help manage stormwater by slowing, storing and filtering runoff. It urges planners to anticipate unintended downstream flow, follow the national SuDS discharge hierarchy, and ensure routine maintenance is properly funded so systems work when extreme rainfall hits.
Natural England welcomes RECLAIM Network’s ‘How to’ Toolkit as an important step in helping local authorities and planners integrate urban greening into everyday decisions. We were delighted to contribute to this resource, which complements the Green Infrastructure Framework by providing practical, evidence-based actions that deliver multiple benefits – improving health and wellbeing, enhancing biodiversity, and building climate resilience. By embedding nature into our towns and cities, we can create places that work better for people and wildlife, now and for future generations.Nicola Brown, Senior Officer for Green Infrastructure at Natural England
We’re proud to support the creation of the Urban Greening Toolkit, which brings together innovative, practical examples of how communities can make space for nature in our urban environments.Cllr Catherine Houston, Lead Councillor for Climate Change and Leisure at Guildford Borough Council
In Guildford, we recognise that tackling Climate Change requires leadership and collaboration, and this toolkit reflects the strength of our partnerships across the borough and beyond. Urban Greening supports our Climate Change priorities, helping us to increase biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and create cleaner and healthier places for residents to enjoy.
We’re proud that several Guildford-based projects feature in this toolkit, showcasing the creativity and commitment of local groups and organisations. We’re delighted to have supported its development and hope it encourages more people to get involved in shaping a greener future for all.
City officials tell us they need clear summaries of the evidence, which is why it’s important that they have been involved in developing and refining this guidance on where and how to design green infrastructure in cities.Professor Laurence Jones, from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
###
Notes to editors
This toolkit is co-designed by the 47 co-authors: Prashant Kumar, Rana Alaa Abbass, Holly Appleton, Richard Baldauf, Steph Bleach, Francesca Brady, Nerea Calvillo, Shi-Jie Cao, Olivia Carpenter-Lomax, Paul Cartwright, Naomi Chatfield-Smith, Tom Childs, Stuart Cole, Karina Corada-Perez, Gillian Dick, Gary Durrant, Jill Edmondson, Valerio Ferracci, David Fletcher, Jeanette Guy, Felicity Harris, Colin Horton, Jane Houghton, Laurence Jones, Hendryk Jurk, Thomas Kjeldsen, Dan Knowles, Baizhan Li
Shelagh Malham, Ben McCallan, Adrian McLoughlin, Benjamin Moye, Anastasia Mylona, Melissa Nikkhah-Eshghi, Gwilym Owen, Chris Pain, Beth Parker, Nathalie Pearson, Anna Perks, Nathaniel Prodger, Gareth Ryman, Hao Sun, Cait Taylor, Junqi Wang, Jannis Wenk, Runming Yao and Russell Yates.
Download the full guidance document and individual fact sheets here. For an overview, watch a short explanatory video.
The guidance has been prepared as a part of the UKRI (EPSRC, NERC, AHRC) funded RECLAIM Network Plus.
Reference
Kumar, P., et al., 2025. Urban Greening “How to” Toolkit for Local Authorities, Councillors and Officers. Link: https://doi.org/10.15126/901832
- Professor Prashant Kumar is available for interview; please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange.
- The full guidance can be downloaded from here (https://doi.org/10.15126/901832).
Related sustainable development goals
Media Contacts
External Communications and PR team
Phone: +44 (0)1483 684380 / 688914 / 684378
Email: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
Out of hours: +44 (0)7773 479911