Peter Dowdall: Victorian Quarter and MacCurtain Street at top of Cork tree plan

Our streets are looking up, as Cork City Council aims to grow its tree-planting strategy

Irish Examiner garden columnist Peter Dowdall near the newly planted trees on MacCurtain Street, Cork. Pictures: Eddie O'Hare

Green and blue infrastructure (GBI) refers to the network of natural and semi-natural spaces and pathways within a city. Think of cities as living organisms, with GBI acting as their veins and nerves amidst the built environment. 

These “veins” consist of interconnected greenery, soil, and waterways that make up the city's natural ecosystem, co-existing with urban development. This network supports people, biodiversity, and natural systems, with trees being a crucial component.