St James Quarter, a sprawling 1.7 million square feet lifestyle district in the heart of Edinburgh, represents one of the UK’s most significant city centre transformations. Officially opened by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, the project is set to redefine urban retail and leisure experiences, marking a new era for the city’s landscape.

The primary aim of the tree planting initiative at St James Quarter was to enhance the urban environment, providing aesthetic, environmental, and social benefits.

This initiative aligns with Edinburgh City Council’s broader goal of planting 250,000 trees over the next decade in collaboration with the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust and Woodland Trust.

Key Stakeholders:

BDP: Design Engineers – masterplanning, architecture.

City of Edinburgh Council: Project oversight and strategic alignment with environmental goals.

OPEN, Optimised Environments – Tree Pit Design

Laing O’Rourke: Construction management and implementation.

MacColl and Stokes: Landscaping: Execution of the tree planting and landscaping

The tree planting at St James Quarter involved landscaping products and careful planning to integrate green spaces into a bustling urban centre.

A significant design challenge was working around existing British Telecom (BT) services to ensure that the tree pits and telecoms infrastructure coexisted without impeding each other. The GreenBlue Root Space soil cell system successfully addressed this challenge, allowing for healthy tree growth while accommodating the necessary urban infrastructure.

Raised steps under the newly planted tree canopy provide a welcoming area for shoppers and workers to enjoy their lunch and fresh air, fostering a community atmosphere. The three trees contribute to the urban canopy, offering shade, improving air quality, and enhancing the overall aesthetic of St James Quarter.

GreenBlue Urban Products installed:

• RootSpace G2 – provides the necessary soil volume for tree root growth in urban environments
• RootDirector 1000 – Guidance of roots for pavement protection
• Re-Root Ribbed Barrier – (600mm depth), additional protection for nearby utilities
• ArborGuy – Strapped anchor deadman guying system to ensure long-term security
• RootSoil 20 – Subsoil and Mycorrihiza – tried and tested soil for long term-term tree health
• Arborvents – This product ensures adequate aeration for tree roots, which is crucial for tree health in compact urban soils
• Castle Tree Grilles – Protects tree bases and integrates aesthetically with the surrounding pavement

The tree planting consisted of a ‘two cells deep’ configuration, ensuring robust root support and growth. The linked tree pits facilitated a shared resource and stability among the trees, promoting healthy and resilient growth. Additionally, the grid system alignment ensured that the trees were precisely aligned with the seating wall, creating an aesthetically pleasing environment.

St James Quarter aims to set a precedent for future urban developments in Edinburgh and beyond.

Integrating green spaces into a bustling city centre not only meets environmental goals but also enriches urban living. This project exemplifies how urban redevelopment can harmonise commercial, social, and ecological priorities.

The development stands as a testament to successful collaboration, showcasing how urban renewal can elevate city life by incorporating nature, prioritising sustainability, and encouraging community engagement. Catering to residents, visitors from across Scotland the UK, and the many international tourists attracted to Edinburgh, St James Quarter is set to thrive for generations.

Contact: greenblue.com
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Tel: 01580 830800