City and Green, 18 October 2023
GAES (Green As A Service) results: successes in liveability, biodiversity and heat stress reduction
GAES is a consultancy for greening and climate challenges, biodiversity objectives and social issues. Central to their data-driven concept is the role of ecosystem services (ESD). Ecosystem services include all the goods and services that ecosystems provide to society. How does this data-driven approach work, what are the results so far and what does the future of this system look like?
Author: Jeroen Poldermans
‘In a standard specification, a green space company makes some maintenance rounds through a neighbourhood, but it is our desire to have a policy on ESD. We offer a plan of action that looks at issues such as social issues, biodiversity and heat stress reduction and set those services as the central goal of the specifications,’ explains manager of GAES Wil Jacobs. GAES’ approach presupposes a new, measured and monitored view of public space design.
Greenery needs growing time
In The Hague, Goeverneurplein and Oltmansplein in Laak district have been tackled using the GAES method in recent years. What is the current situation there in terms of heat stress and biodiversity? Jacobs: ‘Before going into the results, I want to be careful with the initial conclusions, because greenery needs growth time. That’s why I prefer to talk about the first 10 to 30 years. For now, the results are successful. Greenery compares better with other greenery in hot periods, so disconnecting rainwater has had a positive impact. We have had, if you look at the past one-and-a-half years, no failure in the herbaceous plantings. Some trees were removed and the remaining trees were given 20 cubic metres of Hague tree soil and growing space. This allowed them to realise more crown area and made higher contributions in heat stress reduction and CO2 storage. We can calculate biodiversity in our systematics based on the parameters and measures we have taken. Given the improved herbal vegetation, even during dry periods, it will also increase.’