‘Urban Forest’ aiming to help nurture city on climate change
THE centre of Derby is to be turned into a nine-week long temporary woodland from the end of June in a bid to create a free al-fresco dining and outdoor events area over the summer.
The “urban forest” will become one of just four in the UK this year and the only one in the Midlands, and more than 500 trees and shrubs will be installed, covering most of the city’s Market Place.
Within the forest, a clearing will be created and picnic benches provided for city centre visitors to use for socialising, and there will also be space for a stage so the clearing can be used as a performance area.
The Urban Forest has been designed and will be installed by Scotscape, which has created urban greening solutions across the globe, most recently at COP26 in Glasgow and the Forest for Change at Somerset House.
Scotscape’s vision is to cover towns and cities with plants, nurture them and watch them grow so that a blanket of verdant green covers all our surfaces and watch the biodiversity follow.
After this, the trees and shrubs will be re-homed in a city park to recapture the design, as part of the ongoing Queen’s Green Canopy project.
The idea for an urban forest on the Market Place was dreamt up by grounds maintenance officer and Derby resident, Karl Smith.
He said: “Hosting an urban forest, it’s about more than just this summer, it’s about creating a legacy for the younger generations in the city.
“Within 10 years, the trees in our urban forest will be removing tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to tackle climate change.
“But, more than that, they’re helping to create more beautiful green spaces in the city which contribute to improved wellbeing and mental health for residents.
“I’m really proud to be helping bring this event to our city.
“It also gives a vision that urban planting in city centres can create a more vibrant and enjoyable environment.”
Installation is due to start on Monday, June 20 with the urban forest officially opening on Saturday, June 25.
It will be in place for six weeks, until Saturday, August 29.