Launchpad innovation centre for green infrastructure
Southend on Sea
Completed
Dense City
The pilot delivers a suite of Green Infrastructure to this development and builds climate resilience whilst creating an attractive and healthy environment to attract new businesses. This pilot serves as an exemplar for the inclusion of Green Infrastructure on future new developments in the area and beyond.
The Launchpad site is increasingly at risk of flooding from a nearby river due to climate change. Through the provision of swales, rain gardens, a meadow and permeable paving the pilot significantly improves the water attenuation on site and reduces flood risk. A key objective is to provide flood risk mitigation at a level that would cover even flood events that may occur just once every 100 years, adjusted by 40% for climate change.
The pilot also builds climate resilience by reducing heat stress and improving air quality. Other benefits of the green infrastructure delivered include an increase in biodiversity and an improvement to the health and well-being of workers.
Work on the development of Launchpad began in July 2020 and has been completed in 2022.
The Launchpad and surrounding meadow have been completed. The NSCiti2S Business Model shows that the site now delivers more ecosystem services than before the development.
Contact
Southend on Sea Borough Council
Rachel Porter