Our green infrastructure focus map helps architects, planners, and designers think about the local environment when they are planning and designing.

How to use the map

The map allows you to select layers from the legend on the left.

Local cycling and walking infrastructure plan

This includes both existing and planned routes.

By considering these maps together with the existing traffic free routes map and green spaces, a view of green corridors and trails begins to emerge. It’s important to take account of these routes when planning development and avoiding additional fragmentation. This will support the existing green spaces as corridors for residents, active travel, for species movement, feeding and for pollination. The future management of these corridors can be enhanced and linked by specific habitat creation on development sites.

OpenStreetMap shows existing recommended cycle routes, recommended by local people who cycle.

Average surface temperature by ward

The overheating of urban areas and buildings is likely to become a major environmental, health and economic issue over the coming years. Natural vegetation has the ability to moderate local climate making areas cooler. Areas with a higher risk of overheating are identified in the surface temperature map.

The data shows average surface temperatures by ward using relative values. Temperatures have been aggregated by ward and grouped to show relative average surface temperatures. Data has been sourced from Landsat 8 July 2022.

Canopy cover by ward 2020

Tree canopy is the layer of branches and leaves that you can see when looking up from under a tree. Tree canopy cover is the extent of the ground that is covered by tree canopy. It is often used as proxy to assess local tree provision and access to the benefits trees provide. Data used is from BlueSky National Tree Map.

Tree equity by ward

This map links tree canopy cover with health and environmental data. It’s a great illustration of those areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole that are best served by existing tree provision and those communities less well served. Useful for planning where future tree provision could be concentrated. You can find more information about tree equity and the data source on page 48 of the Urban Forest Strategy.

The tree equity score includes data for surface temperature and tree canopy cover. Caution should be taken when layering the tree equity map with the surface temperature map for example as this could mean ‘double counting’ surface temperature.

Environment Agency flood zones

Flood zone mapping is contained here as a guide to incorporating the right green infrastructure when wet conditions are an issue.

A development with more permeable surfaces where rainfall can be absorbed into the ground is better than one covered in non permeable surfaces.

Consideration should be given to siting SuD features throughout river catchments as this is where they can contribute to capturing rainfall before it reaches areas susceptible to flooding.

Flood zone 2 is often referred to as being in a “medium risk” flood area, translating to an expected flood event once in every 100 to 1,000 years for river flooding, and once in every 200 to 1000 years for sea flooding.

Flood zone 3 is a high-risk area with a high probability of flooding. In this zone there is a 1 in 100 or greater annual probability of flooding from rivers, or a 1 in 200 or greater annual probability of flooding from the sea.

Find more detailed guidance and strategic flood risk assessments.

Higher potential ecological network

Areas which are not currently of high nature value but have the greatest potential to be managed or enhanced to play a valuable role in future.

Existing ecological network

Comprises designated sites and other priority habitats that are also valuable for wildlife.