The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) members consist of thousands of growers of flowers and ornamental plants around the world who are together united by one essential goal – promoting the place of plants in people’s lives.
AIPH hosts several conferences, webinars and events such as the International Grower of the Year award throughout the year. Read about these along with the latest news about the association’s activities.
AIPH’s key aim is to stimulate demand for ornamental trees, plants and flowers worldwide. We are committed to supporting growers in achieving this by protecting and promoting the interests of the industry.
Business parks are usually dominated by buildings, parking lots and streets. Including green into business parks offers opportunities to link nature-inclusive design that contributes to climate adaptation, sustainability and the health of employees. Spaces to consider are entrances, road verges, embankments, the built environment itself, and vacant land adjacent to larger green areas.
Stakeholders such as local residents and interest groups do not always welcome the arrival of a new business park. More support is invited by integrating greenery into development of the area in a timely manner, especially if stakeholders can make use of it (walking) or play a role in its management.
A green an nature-filled working environment has a positive effect on attracting and retaining motivated staff. Green may also conducive to a positive corporate image. The Living Public Space contributes to the achievement of area certifications such as BREEAM, NL Area Label and the Sustainable Development Goals. See also the ‘Concept and Certifications‘ chapter.
Mind Map
The Industrial and Business Parks Mind Map provides a handy overview of the various green themes and added values to discuss together and include in integral designs for pleasant, healthy, and sustainable working environments.
Mind Map Explained
Benefits
In tenders, green developments are more often awarded and the planning process is approved more quickly. Banks and investors are also increasingly opting for green investments.
Green environments are more attractive, which leads to a better business climate for (international) companies.
A green environment has a positive effect on the buying and selling time of buildings. Real estate is worth 5 to 10% more in a green environment. Higher rents may be charged.
A green business park is very suitable for multiple use of space. This can be an interesting solution, especially in the built environment – with limited and expensive square meters.
Greenery reduces the risk of damage to buildings, such as flooding due to peak rainfall.
Energy
Green increases the efficiency of solar panels by 6%.
On hard-to-sell industrial plots (e.g. under high-voltage pylons), sustainable energy can be generated in combination with the development of biodiversity.
Greenery on the roof and façade increases the insulation value of buildings and reduces energy costs.
Maintenance
The Living Public Space and a low-maintenance business park go well together. This starts with a well-thought-out design, in which the green professional, (landscape) architect, local residents and client sit around the table together in a timely manner.
With ecological management (of verges), mowing is required less often or only partially.
Have the green structures managed collectively, through a form of park or area management.
Sustainable Materials
The attention in society for the importance of sustainable materials is growing enormously. The use of greenery contributes to a sustainable image and the achievement of various certifications. It also suits companies that have integrated CSR into their business strategy.
Green outdoor spaces can be used for inspiration and education in nature. We see that biomimicry is on the rise. Nature is a source of inspiration for innovative sustainable processes, solutions and products.
Education
Green measures can be made visible by placing information boards and wildlife facilities.
Biodiversity
Green structures on industrial estates can form a corridor or stepping stone between nature and habitats of all kinds of animals.
Temporarily undeveloped sites provide space for spontaneous nature development and (special) pioneer species. With the Temporary Nature exemption, no nature-repellent measures need to be taken to prevent protected species from settling there. As a result, economic activities can be developed in the next phase.
Food & Flowers
The outdoor space can be used for healthy food production for your own use or for third parties.
Soil
In the case of lightly contaminated soil, specific greenery can help purify the soil. In that case, the contaminated soil does not have to be removed, which is not only costly, but also disturbs soil life.
Water
By using a lot of greenery and water-passing pavement, for example in parking lots, the amount of rainwater that can be drained is limited. Take measures that encourage the creation of greenery and water retention. Consider, for example, financial incentives through the levy regime, such as the sewerage tax and water board charges.
Greenery in the form of helophyte filters can contribute to water quality if it is used for biological purification of released wastewater. This can be used, for example, for watering plants and flushing toilets. This function can be combined with the absorption of peak showers.
Temperature
It can get very hot on business parks due to the large area of buildings and paving. This can lead to heat stress.
Greenery of sufficient size around the buildings limits the heating of the buildings. Roof and façade greenery also prevent warming. Together, this contributes to increasing productivity. During warm periods, people feel more comfortable in a green environment.
Specifically in parking lots, the installation of shade trees can limit the heating of cars and the evaporation of the fuel from the fuel tanks.
Air Quality
Dense green elements can be used to shield pollution from busy traffic flows on business parks from adjacent residential areas and buildings with vulnerable groups, such as schools and hospitals.
Larger green industrial areas contribute to the improvement of regional air quality. The greenery on industrial and business parks must be laid out in such a way that a good air flow remains possible. Air exchange with the environment is very important for air quality.
Greenery in industrial areas and business parks contributes to the sequestration of CO2 and the limitation of global warming. Semi-hardening of the ubiquitous mineral olivine also binds CO2.
Noise
Greenery can ensure that we experience noise pollution from traffic or industry as less of a nuisance.
Appearance
A view of greenery contributes to a faster recovery from stress and a reduction in stress. A view of green facades or roofs also has this effect.
Local residents do not want a view of a business park. This can be solved with a green strip of trees and shrubs.
Relaxation
Views of greenery from the workplace help relax and refocus the eyes. It also counteracts fatigue and headaches. This is important when we spend hours in front of a screen.
Productivity
Employees and visitors feel more comfortable in the greenery. Greenery contributes to less stress, better concentration, more creativity and higher work productivity. Greenery has a positive effect on job satisfaction, health and well-being.
Provide an attractive green outdoor space that employees can use to unwind and get away from it all.
Socialisation
A green outdoor space can serve well as an extra place to stay, meet or work. Greenery can also be used for informal meetings and relaxation. It leads to a better social climate.
Movement & Play
Greenery invites you to sit less and move more. Green outdoor spaces promote short breaks and are very useful for short walks. These can also be used for walking meetings, with the added effect of a higher level of creativity. Greenery provides shade during a lunchtime walk.
Safety
Greenery leads to less crime and vandalism.
Examples
View the below Case Studies to discover how green city principles have been put into practice in industry and business parks around the globe.
Benefits
Energy
Maintenance
Sustainable Materials
Education
Biodiversity
Food & Flowers
Soil
Water
Temperature
Air Quality
Noise
Appearance
Relaxation
Productivity
Socialisation
Movement & Play
Safety
