Third Nature wants to enlist the sidewalks and surfaces of the city to mitigate the impact of climate change and efficiently handle rain water.
The firm has developed the Climate Tile, a modular tile system that enables sidewalks and urban spaces to handle increasing rainfall. The tiles can channel 30 percent of rain away from the city’s infrastructure to prevent overloading storm water systems.
“Climate Tile is a modular system that allows water to run down into an integrated underground water-handling system,” explains the firm.
“The sidewalks retain their fundamental function but will also provide the city a number of new qualities and functions. The water management system can connect to a series of urban elements, such as vegetation, water, and playground equipment to motivate activities in the city whilst providing vibrant and natural urban spaces.”
“We wish to show the world that climate proofing isn’t just hidden technology, but a chance for everybody to participate in the improvement of our everyday spaces where we can understand the city’s hidden connections and offer greater quality of life,” says Jeppe Ecklon, Project Manager for Third Nature.
“The Climate Tile is a solution that can ease the problems with rainwater that cannot get away, whilst creating more urban nature in our grey streets.”
Climate Tile originally appeared as part of the NatureStructure exhibition and book.