The Benefits of Urban Street Trees to Center City Philadelphia Businesses
/By Christopher Schmitt, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and Zach Schmitt, The Philosophy Family Farm LLC
Urban street trees have a proven positive influence on the success of downtown businesses. Research has shown that shade trees can improve the quality of life for residents, business owners, visitors and shoppers in downtown business districts like Center City Philadelphia. This improved quality of life has been shown to translate to improved business success.
Shade trees provide definitive economic benefits to downtown businesses, including cooler sidewalks that entice shoppers to linger longer at sidewalk restaurants and adjacent retail shops, softer color palettes and landscapes that attract people to stay and enjoy unplanned activities, and engaging urban streetscapes which draw people out of their cars and onto the sidewalk to stroll by businesses. This process can be used to slow pedestrians down so that previously unexplored businesses are seen and appreciated.
Trees also provide substantial social and ecological benefits that are of great significance to downtown businesses. Urban street trees not only provide clean and breathable air, but also decrease localized flooding during light rainstorms by absorbing water on their tree branches and leaves, where the water can evaporate. During heavier rainstorms, tree roots soak up a great volume of precipitation which would otherwise flood sidewalks in front of businesses. Trees also make neighborhoods and business districts more enjoyable for people. Trees add natural beauty and create an environment beneficial to our mental and emotional health. It is known that people are more likely to appreciate their city environment and to spend more quality time working, shopping and recreating in the city when their environment is enhanced with street trees. An important secondary benefit of street trees is their support of the biodiversity of birds and small mammals, which, in turn, results in an increase in people’s ability to connect with nature and their desire to remain engaged with working, shopping and recreating in that area. Business districts which actively improve people’s connections with nature through the establishment of sidewalks with shade trees are known to realize increased economic and social activity. People want to have a connection with nature, and they reward businesses that provide a setting where nature can be enjoyed at their establishment.
In celebration of Arbor Day, this spring consider planting trees to support your local neighborhood, and get an economic boost for your business, too!
Contact Christopher Schmitt at GZA GeoEnvironmental for professional assistance with urban trees, green infrastructure, sustainability and resilience initiatives.
Chris Schmitt is a Senior Consultant with GZA GeoEnvironmental in Center City who focuses on providing sustainable, regenerative and natural solutions to critical issues; his son, Zach, is an interpretive naturalist and educator at The Philosophy Family Farm LLC.
201-463-4267
christopher.schmitt@gza.com
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