The planter

The planter: green insert in the urban environment

The planter is today an integral part of urban spaces: the most common are the round concrete planters or those with seats even if today's market offers increasingly innovative products. Designed to increase the aesthetic value of city squares and streets, over time the planters have assumed a functional value linked to respect for the environment and the improvement of atmospheric quality. This element of street furniture is considered increasingly important and for this reason, it is sometimes designed in relation to the context and the needs of the specific place.

Now let's see what are the main characteristics and types of planters illustrated in the following guide.

Advantages of the planter

Introduced in order to make the urban environment more aesthetically pleasing, the planters allow urban scenarios to be equipped with a green insert, where overbuilding has taken over. In addition, through the green and floral species, cities gain a marked improvement in atmospheric terms: in fact, thanks to vegetation, the amount of CO2 present in the air decreases and that of oxygen increases. It is therefore evident that the lower the level of pollution, the better the quality of the air and the health of the citizen.

Depending on the context in which the planters will be placed, it is good to consider the characteristics relating to the level of transpiration of the soil present in them, the materials that make up the pots and the resistance of the surfaces exposed to external agents. In order to obtain a good overall result, the colors and shapes must be defined on the basis of an urban project that ensures consistency between the parts and with the surrounding environment. Only in this way will the presence of the planter and other furnishing components improve the appearance and performance of public spaces. It is a methodology aimed at creating spaces on a human scale, able to give vitality to the urban environment and improve the user experience within the scenario that he experiences every day.



For example, in an area where a high flow of users is expected, the planter may also include a seating space or an additional element designed to provide a specific service. On the contrary, if it is a question of spaces intended to improve the aesthetics of the context, the planter will have to be treated in particular from the point of view of the plant and floral species it will host.

A variation of the classic planter, inserted inside the cities, is represented by the grids for the trees. Often, it is found along the courses and pedestrian walkways, where the need arises to align and space shrubs of substantial size. However, they may also be needed in squares and open spaces, where the trees are inserted according to a precise design. In both cases, the grids are made of metal materials, such as steel and iron sheet, they are shock-resistant, water-repellent and, thanks to specific treatments, do not rust. The empty spaces allow rainwater to filter and be captured by the surrounding land, making the large asphalted or paved surfaces more permeable. Sometimes, integrated LEDs or spotlights are inserted inside the grids, in order to create special scenic effects during the evening hours.

   
Examples of urban iron and concrete grids

To view some configurations of urban green spaces click here