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Award winning nature-based solution: 5 Japanese Pagoda trees, 8-12 m high at time of planting
What makes this project unique is that there are beautiful trees in an (almost) impossible growing location, but we managed to create optimal growing conditions by mimicking nature.
Maanplein in Heerlen is the central plaza in the completely rebuilt city-centre, surrounded by high rise apartment buildings. It is one of 3 interconnected rooftop parks sited above the shopping center, Central train station and a parking garage.
It is intended as a place where people come together to walk or enjoy public events. Mature trees grow in specially designed mounds of lightweight soil on top of the roof over the shopping center. The entire square functions as a water collection basin with the use of the Permavoid 85 Capillary Irrigation System, and the water made available for the trees using the capillary irrigation system.
Beautiful trees in an (almost) impossible growing location
Award winning nature-based solution: 5 Japanese Pagoda trees, 8-12 m high at time of planting
With the Permavoid Capillary Irrigation System an artificial groundwater level is created beneath the rootzone, mimicking groundwater in a natural situation, enabling the growing site to capture, store and reuse stormwater for irrigation. In this arrangement trees prevent stormwater entering the sewer whilst simultaneously enjoying a water reservoir to sustain growth during prolonged dry spells.
The Permavoid Capillary Irrigation System is equipped with specially developed fiber columns that provide capillary transport of water from the Permavoid retention buffer to the rootable soil above. This natural irrigation system uses no energy and maintains a consistent soil moisture content such that the tree experiences a very stable groundwater level, allowing it to thrive in the urban environment.