Free online courses teach how to implement green infrastructure for better health, cleaner air and cooler cities

Urban planners, local authorities, environmental consultants, academics and researchers can now access free training on using trees, parks and green spaces to tackle seven environmental challenges, from air pollution to mental health.

The courses, developed by researchers at the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) in collaboration with experts from RECLAIM Network Plus, translate the latest scientific evidence into practical guidance for anyone working to make local communities healthier and more resilient.

Each of the seven Continuing Professional Development courses focuses on a specific problem – air quality, urban overheating, surface water management, noise, biodiversity, carbon storage and mental wellbeing. Participants learn how to design, monitor and evaluate green-blue-grey infrastructure solutions, with case studies and recommendations alongside the science.

The courses are free and open to anyone. Courses can be completed at the participant’s own pace, and a certificate is awarded upon completion for each course.

To sign up for a course or for more information, visit RECLAIM Network Courses.

Green infrastructure can clean the air we breathe, cool our streets in summer and reduce the risk of flooding after heavy rain. Finding smart, practical ways to implement these solutions could transform neighbourhoods – and that starts with giving planners, architects and local authorities the evidence they need. These courses show our commitment to working at grassroots level to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our cities. Professor Prashant Kumar, Co-Director, Institute for Sustainability, Professor and Chair in Air Quality and Health; Founding Director, Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE)

Green infrastructure consists of natural and semi-natural features that deliver environmental benefits in built-up areas. This can include trees, parks, green roofs, living walls, rain gardens, ponds and urban wetlands. Unlike traditional grey infrastructure (such as concrete drains and pipes), green infrastructure works with natural processes – trees absorb air pollutants and provide shade, while rain gardens and permeable surfaces allow water to soak into the ground rather than overwhelming sewers.

The project is part of the RECLAIM (Reclaiming Forgotten Cities - Turning cities from vulnerable spaces to healthy places for people) – a UK Research and Innovation- funded Network Plus grant. It is led by GCARE in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Universities of Bath, Bangor and Warwick.

The courses follow the successful launch of the Network's Urban Greening Toolkit in December 2025.

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Notes to editors

For interviews, contact Professor Prashant Kumar at p.kumar@surrey.ac.uk

The courses are available at: https://reclaim-network.org/cpdcourses

RECLAIM Network Plus brings together researchers, practitioners and communities to improve urban environments through nature-based solutions. It is funded by UKRI.