Innovation, flood prevention and placemaking

Sheffield was built on rivers. Grey to Green's innovative drainage system reconnects this part of the city with them, flowing rainwater back to rivers in a way that mimics nature – cleanly, slowly, sustainably. Following their transformation from Grey to Green, a number of sites in Castlegate are more inviting places to work and live. Grey to Green has created 1.3 kilometres of new footpaths and cycleways. It’s transformed a tarmacked area into a green public space that encourages cycling and walking. A Sheffield survey showed that 98% of people want to see more green streets in the city.

Collaboration is key to a thriving sustainable city and the success of Grey to Green is down to the joined-up efforts of the city, the universities, businesses, and local communities. A green Sheffield is a Sheffield fit for the future. A distinctive, attractive green environment is also an incentive for economic investment – creating a beautiful place to live, work and play.

Grey to Green’s innovative planting beds capture and hold on to plastics from car tyres and road wear and other pollutants preventing them from reaching the watercourses. Improved cycling and walking routes help Sheffield keep fit, clean its air, and keeps us connected.

Doing things differently

Poor practice of the past 

Rain falling on our cities would normally drain quickly into pipes, for example via gulleys in the road. This can add to flooding problems and in the case of roads can send pollutants such as oils, heavy metals and microplastics straight to the river.  

Grey to Green an example of future practice

Rain is captured in the landscapes of our city whether they be new or existing. Their design holds that water temporarily even in the big storms. The everyday rain that washes pollutants from the roads is filtered and broken down by the soils and plants of the landscape.

Poor practice of the past

The natural river catchments of Sheffield have been changed over the years as the city has been built with large parts no longer connected to the rivers and streams and instead sent to the treatment works in sewers mixed with foul water. In storms many of these pipes overflow into rivers causing pollution.

Grey to Green an example of future practice

Many new large developments now drain to the rivers but care needs to be taken with capturing and treating pollutants. Grey to Green is an example of repairing our old catchments. Redirecting water back to the river where it used to go but making sure it is done sustainably like it would be in a natural landscape – clean and slow flows.

Poor practice of the past

Rainwater was always seen as a nuisance to be got rid of. The pipes underground meant out of sight and out of mind. To a large extent this was down to the problems of sanitation of the time – needing to isolate people from water because it may contain disease. We still hold onto these traditional approaches.

Grey to Green an example of future practice

Times have moved on - rainwater and the run-off it creates are seen as important things to manage to prevent flooding and pollution but also that the landscapes that can do this are places to celebrate the visibility of rainwater. Rainwater is a resource that can irrigate our green networks, keep our city cool and build awareness of natural processes.