In this section, we answer frequently asked questions from local authorities, associations, the public and our clients. We will gradually explore different parts of the field and briefly explain key terms and fundamental issues. If you are unsure about something, you can also contact us with your question.

What is blue-green infrastructure, which elements does it include, and how does it help cities and smaller municipalities?

It is an interconnected system of greenery, water and nature-based measures. It cools the environment, retains rainfall, supports biodiversity and improves the quality of public spaces.

How can an interconnected system of parks, tree-lined avenues, gardens, bodies of water and landscapes be created instead of isolated green spaces?

The starting point is a map of existing elements and missing connections. New investments should gradually create continuous green and water corridors.

How can blue-green infrastructure be incorporated into spatial plans, municipal standards and routine investments?

The spatial plan protects the necessary areas and connections, standards define the technical solutions, and the investment plan sets priorities. These measures must form part of routine renovation projects.

Which blue-green infrastructure elements are suitable for a city centre, residential street, housing estate or village?

Trees, shade and small-scale water management work well in city centres, while housing estates and villages can accommodate larger retention areas. The solution must always respond to local conditions.

How can rainwater be retained, allowed to infiltrate and reused directly in streets and public spaces?

Water should be captured as close as possible to where it falls, its runoff slowed, and the water used to support vegetation. Overflow routes must safely accommodate exceptional rainfall as well.

When should a rain garden, swale, retention area, permeable surface or storage tank be used?

The choice depends on the soil, available space, gradient, volume of water and maintenance requirements. The design must verify both infiltration capacity and a safe route for excess water.

How can water from the roofs of public buildings be used for irrigation and other operational purposes?

Water can be stored for irrigation, cleaning or toilet flushing where operating conditions and regulations permit. The system requires filtration, an overflow and a clearly designated operator.

How can trees, underground utilities, parking, lighting and pedestrian movement be coordinated within limited street space?

Coordination must begin before the individual technical disciplines start designing their parts. A shared street section, accurate utility data and priority for trees with long-term prospects all help.

How much space does an urban tree need, and how can new planting be helped to survive and thrive in the long term?

Roots need a sufficient volume of good-quality soil, air and water. Success also depends on choosing the right species, planting it correctly and providing several years of aftercare.

How can the benefits of blue-green infrastructure be quantified and responsibility for its management and maintenance established?

Assessment should consider retained water, cooling, shade, biodiversity, recreation and avoided damage. The project itself must identify an owner, a budget and a maintenance regime.

How can the areas most affected by overheating be identified and an urban heat-island map created?

The map combines temperature measurements, vegetation cover, surface types and the locations used by vulnerable groups. On-site verification helps distinguish genuine problems from assumptions produced by models alone.

How can streets, squares, public transport stops and playgrounds be cooled using shade, greenery, water and suitable materials?

A combination of tree canopies, permeable surfaces, water and structural shade is usually the most effective. Measures should be chosen according to use, available space and maintenance requirements.

What role do trees, drinking fountains, misting systems, shading structures and accessible public buildings play in cooling a city?

Trees provide long-term shade and evapotranspiration, drinking fountains and misting systems offer local relief, and buildings can provide shelter. Every element requires reliable operation and maintenance.

How can a city prepare for cloudbursts, local flooding, drought and other climate extremes?

The city must understand how water moves through its territory and protect critical infrastructure. A range of retention and infiltration measures, emergency runoff routes and crisis plans can help.

How should public buildings, schools, social care facilities and homes be adapted to more frequent heatwaves?

Priority should be given to external shading, ventilation, limiting heat gains and night-time cooling. Active cooling should be added only where passive measures are insufficient.

How can children, older people, those who are ill and other vulnerable residents be protected during extreme heat?

At-risk places and people must be identified, and warnings, accessible cool spaces, drinking water and outreach support provided. The measures need to be prepared before a heatwave begins.

What should a climate adaptation strategy contain, and how should spatial and investment priorities be determined?

The strategy should include a risk map, objectives, priorities, responsibilities, costs and indicators. Places facing high exposure and those with vulnerable residents should be addressed first.

How can climate adaptation be integrated into routine renovations of streets, buildings, parks and technical infrastructure?

Every planned renovation should undergo a climate assessment. This allows most adaptation measures to be delivered more economically as part of the regular investment.

How can the effectiveness of adaptation measures be measured and solutions that merely shift the problem elsewhere identified?

Effectiveness can be verified by measuring temperatures, water runoff and the vitality of greenery, as well as by gathering users’ experiences. Maladaptation occurs when a measure increases consumption or transfers risk elsewhere.

How can climate risks, rapid measures and the cost of inaction be communicated clearly without unnecessary alarmism?

Communication should connect a specific local risk with a practical solution, its cost and its benefits. Clear data and visible pilot projects help build trust.

What makes a high-quality public space, and how can we tell whether a square, park or village green genuinely works?

A high-quality space is accessible, safe and comfortable, and gives people a reason both to pass through and to stay. Its success can be seen in the diversity of users and activities at different times.

How can public space be designed for children, older people, local residents, visitors and people with different abilities?

The design must respond to different needs and remove both physical and social barriers. A universally accessible foundation can be complemented by places offering different levels of quiet and activity.

How can a place be created where people want to spend time, and how can an empty public space be revitalised without an expensive reconstruction?

Cleaning, seating, shade, small-scale programming and the removal of the greatest barriers can provide an effective start. Temporary interventions can be monitored before investing in permanent changes.

How much greenery, shade, water, seating and open space does a square or village green need?

There is no universal ratio; the dimensions, orientation, surrounding buildings and programme all matter. The key is to create a pleasant microclimate while retaining flexible open space.

How can recreation, walking, traffic, parking, deliveries and events be accommodated within a single space?

Functions should be organised in time and space according to how the place is actually used. The design must clearly establish pedestrian priority, servicing arrangements, places to stay and the operating regime for events.

How can the dominance of parking be reduced gradually while maintaining access to the town centre and local services?

Change should be gradual and linked to alternative parking options, transport and improved pedestrian access. Any space that is freed up must immediately gain a visible new value.

How can public spaces be designed to work at different times of day, in different seasons and during different events?

Shade, lighting, durable materials, adaptable street furniture and support for different programmes all help. A space should not be designed for a single ceremonial occasion alone.

How can a safe, legible environment be created without an excess of fences, barriers, cameras and prohibitive signs?

Safety is supported by clear sightlines, the everyday presence of people, active surroundings and high-quality lighting. Technical security measures should be targeted and as unobtrusive as possible.

How can active ground floors, shops, services, markets and outdoor seating support life in public space?

Open and accessible ground floors bring natural surveillance, services and everyday movement to the street. Rules must balance business activity, ease of passage and residents’ needs.

How can the use of a public space be observed and changes in its quality measured before and after implementation?

Movement, stationary activity, duration of visits, diversity of users and user experience should be monitored both before and after the change. Applying the same methodology enables an honest comparison.

Is a street primarily a transport corridor or a public space, and how should space be shared fairly among its different functions?

A street performs both roles, and the balance between them depends on the location. The allocation of space should reflect safety, the number of users and the importance of both movement and staying in the space.

How can a traffic-dominated road be transformed into an urban avenue and a residential street into a safe place for everyday life?

Lower speeds, high-quality pavements, trees, active ground floors and frequent crossings are fundamental. Through traffic should be directed to routes where it causes less disruption to everyday life.

When should a home zone, shared space, 30 km/h zone or school street be used, and how can these approaches be combined?

The choice depends on traffic volumes, the street’s role as a place and whether the space can be shared. The chosen regime must be reinforced by the physical layout, not merely by a traffic sign.

How can safer junctions, crossings and pavements be designed while removing unnecessary barriers and signage from streets?

Shorter crossings, tighter corner radii, clear sightlines and continuous pavements all help. Signs should reinforce a self-explanatory physical design.

How should parking, deliveries and short-term stopping be managed in narrow streets and town centres?

Long-term parking, brief stopping and deliveries should be separated in both time and space. Ease of passage, safety and the operation of local services are the priorities.

How can trees and rainwater management be introduced into a street when the space is already filled with utilities and parking?

Early coordination of utilities and sufficient soil volume are essential. Some parking can be relocated or shared so that trees become more than mere decoration.

How should suitable surfaces, lighting and street furniture be selected for different types of streets?

Materials should be selected according to load, repairability, accessibility and the character of the place. Using fewer types of elements generally creates a more legible street and simplifies maintenance.

How can comfortable, accessible public transport stops be created and wayfinding improved in confusing streets?

A stop needs step-free boarding, protection from the weather, seating, lighting and clear information. Visible destinations and a consistent wayfinding system improve orientation.

How should a street reconstruction be phased while involving residents, businesses and utility operators?

The phases must maintain access and operation and be coordinated with utility operators in advance. Residents and businesses need timely information and a designated contact person.

How can the transport, recreational, economic and climatic impacts of a street transformation be measured before and after implementation?

Vehicle speeds and volumes, collisions, stationary activity, sales, noise, temperature and water should all be monitored. Results are assessed against objectives defined in advance.

What does sustainable mobility mean in practice, and how can a realistic plan for its development be created?

It means ensuring accessibility with fewer negative impacts, not banning a particular mode of transport. The plan must connect specific objectives, investments and measurable results.

How can residents’ dependence on cars be reduced while offering convenient alternatives for different types of journeys?

An alternative must be safe, reliable, affordable and competitive in terms of journey time. Changes to parking should be introduced alongside improvements to the other options.

How can a safe, continuous network of walking and cycling routes with connections to public transport be created?

The network must be continuous and eliminate dangerous or missing links. Convenient transfers, secure bicycle parking and high-quality pedestrian access to stops are essential.

How can connections between a municipality, nearby towns and rural areas be improved while solving the first and last kilometre of a journey?

Coordinated timetables, connecting services, bicycle parking and flexible transport for lower-density areas all help. The journey must be planned as a single whole.

How should transport be planned for children, older people, parents with pushchairs and people with reduced mobility?

Universal design requires level routes, short crossings, places to rest, accessible stops and clear information. Needs should be verified directly with users.

How can journeys to school be made safer and children’s independent mobility supported?

A safe route combines traffic calming, clear crossings and a school mobility plan. Accompanied walking initiatives and engagement with parents also support greater independence.

How does parking policy influence residents’ behaviour, and when should paid or resident-only parking be introduced?

The price and availability of parking strongly affect people’s choice of transport. Regulation should be transparent and enforceable, while distinguishing between the needs of residents, visitors and deliveries.

Where do multi-storey car parks make sense, and how can parking revenue be used to improve streets and transport?

A multi-storey car park makes sense where it can free valuable street space and has good transport connections. Revenue should be reinvested in local mobility and public space.

How can car sharing, bike sharing, demand-responsive transport and electric mobility be integrated into a single functional system?

Services must be easy to access, interconnected and complementary to public transport. The city should focus primarily on rules, locations and equitable availability.

How should transport changes that provide long-term benefits but initially face resistance be prepared and communicated?

The problem, objectives, data, timetable and scope for adjustments must all be explained. A pilot scheme and transparent evaluation reduce concerns and help refine the solution.

What does sustainability mean in architecture, and how can genuine benefits be distinguished from greenwashing?

Sustainability balances environmental, social and economic impacts throughout the entire life cycle. Greenwashing highlights an isolated feature without measurable results or consideration of the wider context.

When is it more sustainable not to build, or to renovate, extend or repurpose an existing building instead of demolishing it?

The need for construction, the use of existing spaces and the potential for conversion should be assessed first. Retaining the existing structure often saves materials, carbon and time while preserving the memory of the place.

How can both the operational and embodied carbon footprints of a building be assessed throughout its life cycle?

The assessment should cover material production, transport, construction, operation, maintenance and end of life. Comparisons must use alternatives providing the same function and cover the same time horizon.

How should local, renewable, recycled and non-toxic materials be selected according to their actual impacts?

A material should not be judged by a single label, but by its origin, lifespan, toxicity, repairability and transport requirements. The availability of local skills and replacement materials is also important.

How can reclaimed building components and material passports be used, and how can structures be designed for easy disassembly?

Reuse requires an early material audit, suitable storage and verification of the components’ properties. Reversible connections make future repairs possible and allow components to be reused again.

How can buildings be designed for repair, long life, changes in layout and different future uses?

An adaptable building has a regular structural system, accessible services and non-load-bearing elements that can be changed easily. Repairs should be possible without damaging the surrounding structures.

How can energy consumption be reduced through orientation, shading, natural light and ventilation without compromising comfort?

Energy demand should first be reduced through suitable orientation, a compact form, shading and a high-quality building envelope. Technology should then cover only the remaining demand and be easy to operate.

How can summer overheating in buildings and the surrounding public spaces be prevented?

External shading, limited glazing, thermal mass, night-time ventilation, trees and light-coloured surfaces all help. The proposed solution should be verified through summer thermal performance calculations.

Which certifications and sustainability standards are appropriate for municipal investments and public procurement?

The standard should reflect the project’s objective and scale and be measurable within the contract. Certification is useful when it leads to better decisions, not when it merely creates additional administration.

How can the sustainability of a building or public space be measured while accounting for maintenance, repairs and renewal?

Energy, water, carbon, materials, biodiversity, health and life-cycle costs should all be monitored. Performance should also be verified after the project has been put into operation.