Designing for Nature

Designing for Nature. . , The East Midtown Greenway is designed to provide a pocket of greenspace in the bustling city environment. A variety of plants and trees helps attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, while framing the river view for bikers and pedestrians. Concealed beneath the pavement, thousands of cubic feet of soil provide the nutrients that fuel life in this urban oasis., Let it Rain , A unique drainage system captures rainwater and directs it towards the Greenway’s trees and plant bed before it drains to the river>, Beating the Heat , “Heat island effect” occurs in cities when vast amounts of dark pavement absorb and radiate heat into the air, creating dangerous health conditions. The Greenway’s light-colored pavement reflects sunlight, helping to keep the city a little cooler., Designing for Growth , Innovative design utilizes empty space in the Greenway’s support structure as a container for soil. Every tree along the Greenway is provided with 1000 cubic feet of soil in which to spread its roots as it grows., Creating a Home , The Greenway is home to many plants native to Manhattan that provide food and habitat (sic) for birds and pollinating insects. Since these plants are naturally adapted to local climate, they require less maintenance than non-native species. What kinds of plants and animals can you spot along the Greenway?