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building a smart gridPopulation increases and consolidation of activity in cities and urban areas is changing the climate.  When there is a large amount of density, it also impacts the environment with pollution, accumulated waste and heat from human activities.  Man made items impact the environment, specifically with the development and use of things such as new buildings, roadways, combustion engines and air conditioner.  As this expands and deteriorates the natural surroundings, it  creates UHI, or the urban heat island.  Urban heat island causes a rise in the temperature in cities and urban spaces while surrounding areas that have a natural landscape acquire a lower temperature.  Cities, the number of individuals living in a consolidated area and the materials which are used all add in to the increasing problem of UHI.  Today, a smart grid, made of natural materials, is required to reduce the impact that this is creating.

The UHI modification occurs specifically because of interference with materials that are not compatible with the environment.  Roads, buildings, atmospheric alterations and properties of specific machines accumulate more pollution and increase the heat in an area.  It is noted that urban construction materials have a specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity that differs in it’s properties.  The result is that instead of reflecting and radiating the sun’s heat, it unnaturally absorbs into the surface.  The result is the inability to cool certain areas or balance within the environment.  Urban spaces that do not use porous paving materials and which don’t acquire proper drainage systems create more imbalances in both the atmosphere and the surrounding environment. 

When not using a smart grid with well constructed applications and materials, there is greater harm that takes place in the urban areas.  With improper landscapes, heat increases dramatically and holds in the urban area.  In many areas that are overpopulated and have the improper infrastructure, heat has doubled within a few decades.  Pollution, sediment run off and too much energy consumption begins to build with the incorrect materials.  Heat trapping greenhouse gases accumulate as a result of the improper materials and structure used within urban areas.  It has been found by many environmental advocates that this not only damages the environment and community as well as personal health, but also creates drastic economic loss with failing infrastructures through increasing energy demands.

Building a smart grid allows those in urban areas to increase health, reduce economic costs and to find a balance with the environment.  To take this first step, infrastructure changes in buildings and roadways are required.  Using environmentally friendly materials, porous pathways, green landscapes and naturally occurring substances offers a balance with nature.  This will impact the UHI phenomena directly while creating a balance in urban areas. 

urban pathwaysBuilding urban pathways today requires more knowledge and new strategies.  In the past, landscapes were developed by basic qualities of the materials, used for design, aesthetics and practicality.  Today, the environmental demands and knowledge requires an alteration in how landscape architects approach their use of materials.  Using approaches that reduce the heat island effect is a priority to those who are looking at new solutions for urban development. 

There are different materials that are known to provide better solutions to the heat island effect.  Urban pathways that are built with this level of consciousness are able to provide better solutions.  Impervious pavements that have dark or black surfaces as well as certain mixes entrap solar heat and radiation.  They stop evaporative cooling from taking place, creating the central problem with the heat island effect.  More important, they add into the pollutants and sediments with changing weather patterns because of the inability to filter and merge with environmental patterns. 

There are different characteristics associated with reduction of the heat island effect.  Physical mechanics, cooling techniques and the overall influence on the thermal environment are all measurements relating to urban pathways.  Landscape architects which consider the applications of pavements designed to cool the heat island effect are also able to provide new levels of quality to the landscapes which are created.  It is known that there are direct results from cool pavements that are designed to reduce the heat island effect. 

The urban pathways which use specific materials result in monitoring and reducing the amount of heat stored and reflective from pavement.  The materials consist of multiple layers, some which are porous.  These allow the solar heat to automatically shift their relationship to the pavement.  The pathway materials offer erosion control, reduces sediment run-off and are able to provide a direct impact to balance natural elements with the urban pathways.  Concepts such as heat harvesting and energy reduction materials further support the ability to change the heat island effect with certain materials. 

The scientific approach to landscape architect buildings is one which is now merging with the environment.  When looking at materials for urban pathways, there are new considerations to look at.  Understanding the results from specific materials, such as porous pathways, results in low – maintenance high quality alternatives for cities and the urban environment

landscaping materials and stabilized aggregateUsing a stabilizing aggregate binder with aggregate in your landscape projects can give you outstanding results. It can be used in various different applications such as walkways, parking areas, open pedestrian spaces, and so on. Focus on making the right choices in your hardscape projects for beautiful outcomes.

Pathway Applications

Pathways incorporated into landscaping guide the flow of pedestrians, maximizing enjoyment while minimizing potential damage from foot traffic. It’s important for these pathways to be stable and long-wearing. A properly stabilized aggregate pathway, using Organic-Lock aggregate binder, gives you smooth, solid surfaces that are compliant with the the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Golf Courses

The unique landscapes of golf courses require pathways that blend in with nature while having enough strength to withstand golf cart traffic. Organic-Lock stabilized aggregate pathways meet this challenge. Strong and stable, with the ability to be water-permeable and resist rainfall erosion but with a natural look and feel underfoot.

Vehicular Pathways

For heavier vehicular use in driveways and fire lanes, it’s important to have a strong stable base to carry the weight of the vehicles. When built to our specifications, Organic-Lock stabilized aggregates will stand up to these uses while maintaining water permeability. This allows you to use environmentally friendly landscaping materials such as ours and meet the heavy usage requirements such project need.

Aggregate stabilizer binders such as Organic-Lock can be used for various installation projects and provides landscape architects with options that are environmentally friendly solutions and reduce maintenance requirements. 

environmentally friendly landscape productsThe process that you use when installing stabilized aggregate (DG) has a huge impact on the quality of the completed pathway surface. When using Organic-Lock environmentally friendly landscape product, it is important to follow our specified installation instructions. You’ll get a strong, stable result that will require little  maintenance for years to come. 

Know Your Aggregate Grain Size

Organic-Lock will work best with an aggregate that meets our specified particle size profile. We have found that a 1/4 inch aggregate size works well with Organic-Lock. Equally important is the presence of smaller grains which fill spaces between the larger  ones. This allows the aggregate to “lock” together for greater stability.  

Know The Mix Ratio

The stabilizer to aggregate ratio is essential for better results. Through extensive testing, we have determined that the ideal ratio of Organic-Lock is 30-34 pounds per ton of aggregate. 

Pre-hydrate Properly

When aggregate is combined with Organic-Lock, it must be pre-hydrated before installing it at the job site. The optimal hydration level is 10-12% moisture. Add water slowly, mix thoroughly, adding 1% at a time until you achieve the proper consistency, checking it using the snowball test. When properly hydrated the mix may seem dry but when properly compacted, the result is strong and stable.  

Design and Formwork

Your project should include well-designed drainage with a cross slope of 1.5 – 2% to allow surfaces to drain easily from the surface. When installing our environmentally friendly landscape product, use you will want to use a formwork or have your edging material in place. After the material is compact, any formwork used needs to be removed to allow water drainage. 

Compact the Materials

Our environmentally friendly landscape product require specific degree of compaction when being installed. For larger pathways, a one ton roller provides the best results.  This allows you to move quickly across the pathway giving you a smooth, even surface. 

Using specified application and installation procedures for your pathway can make all the difference. Environmentally friendly landscape products complement any project design and give natural-looking results. After properly installing your Organic-Lock stabilized aggregate, you’ll be pleased with your low maintenance, high-quality landscape pathway. 

landscape suppliesLow impact development changes the cityscape, specifically with the use of a specific landscape supplies.  Building sustainability requires using specific materials and permeable surfaces to alter the current complexities of hardscape areas.  By using environmentally friendly materials, there is the ability to have lower impact on the environment while having efficiency with the materials that are used with for landscapes.  

Landscape supplies that are able to assist with sustainable landscaping and urban development is permeable paving.  These applications have a base that is environmentally friendly and which balances the environment.  The sub base is able to absorb and move water through the surface.  Instead of sediment run off and holding the water contaminants, a natural process is used with the pavement.  The result is the ability to filter pollution and prevent runoff that destroys hardscapes.  

Porous materials and landscape supplies can be used with any application, ranging from pathways to vehicular paths.  More important, the application does not differ from nonporous materials.  Instead, the environmental approach is able to control erosion of the pavement, reduce maintenance and improve the quality of applications within a city.  This is related specifically to the absorption and natural response to the environment surrounding the materials. 

The landscape supplies that are used not only provides better options for erosion control and the heat island effect.  A natural balance with plants and surrounding landscapes is more effective.  The porous material and the division between the base allows plants to continue to grow naturally without interfering with the pathway that is used.  This effect provides an environmentally friendly application to those who are working with the materials. 

With environmentally friendly landscape supplies and materials is the ability to change the hardscape.  Low maintenance, erosion control and environmentally friendly solutions are available through the materials.  With these applications, landscape architects can change the quality and outcome of the pathways that are developed for sustainable cities. 

golf course walkway ideasThe combination of weathering and traffic may cause your walkway to deteriorate.  Upgrading your pathway assists with a high – quality golf course that maintains for year’s to come.  There are golf course walkway ideas you can use for restoration of the areas of your course.  Tactical approaches to the landscape and environment assists with long lasting results. 

The first application for golf course walkway ideas is to work with the turf and pathway.  Adding in edging to the pathway as well as creating a well – known area for walking will reduce maintenance of the pathway.  The edging will stop the environmental maintenance of the grass to not interfere with the pathways.  The applications also create an effect that upgrades the look and feel of the golf course.

The golf course walkway ideas extend to the type of materials used for your restoration.  You want to find alternatives with the aggregate, concrete or asphalt that assists with maintenance and stops deterioration from weathering.  Using aggregate with a decomposed granite stabilizer is one of the options for the walkway.  This prevents erosion and minimizes maintenance with your new pathway.  You will find long lasting, high-quality results with this approach. 

When looking at the golf course walkway ideas, it is also important to look at a blue print of the pathway in relation to the landscape.  You can look at hardscaping approaches as well as plants that assist with a better look.  Even though you want to focus on the course and the game, it is important to outline how the environment will merge with the pathway and the golf.  The blueprints available allow you to find new turns to your landscape. 

Take the first steps of restoration for your golfing area.  With golf course walkway ideas, you will be able to find solutions for an upgrade.  With the right materials, designs and approach, you will reduce maintenance, have erosion control and find a natural approach to the hardscape areas you are working with. 

heat island effect and landscape supplyClimate change is directly related to the building of urban areas and cities.  As the city scapes apply materials that are not environmentally friendly, it reverses the compatibility of the city.  An effect that many urban areas experience is the heat island effect.  This is related directly to the development of the streets and buildings.  Using different landscape supply materials alters the outcome of the heat that is held within city limits. 

The heat island effect takes place because of the materials used with the cities.  Chemicals used to create pathways and incompatible building materials absorbs heat from the sun.  As it absorbs and holds the heat, it creates a climatic effect in the region, developing a heat island effect.  The landscape supply and materials are unable to respond to the heat.  Instead, it reflects on other buildings and absorbs in the pathways and unnatural materials.  Unusual levels of heat are developed specifically from this phenomena. 

As cities begin to build sustainability in urban areas, is also the need to have landscape supply that is compatible with nature.  Porous materials are able to respond to heat differently.  Instead of reacting, absorbing or reflecting the materials, it works with nature to balance the heat.  Using organic materials and items that respond with a porous approach also reduces the heat island effect that is within the city. 

Landscape architects not only need to look at the basic approaches for their materials and development.  Calculating the heat island effect with their landscape supply will alter the quality results that take place.  More important, it will assist with balancing nature and urban areas to reduce the problematic environmental issues that are now at hand. 

Changing the urban development through different approaches will alter the outcome of the climate and nature.  Using a landscape supply that balances with the environment will also reduce the impact of the heat island effect.  With natural materials, lower amounts of maintenance and less heat absorption will take place in city scapes. 

pathway stabilizersLandscape architects have several considerations to make with a hardscape.  If you are installing a new project, you will want to look at the possibilities for success and failure.  Pathway stabilizers as well as aspects of the installation change the outcome.  By looking at the characteristics of installation and the materials used, you will find differences in the outcome of your next project. 

The first factor to look at with pathway stabilizers is the relationship to other mixtures of the pathway.  If the base course is not compact enough, usually with density of less than 95%, then it will create instability in the final product.  The compaction of the material after being placed in the pathway is also relevant, including the weight of the roller not being too light or heavy. 

The mixture used also changes the outcome of the hardscape project.  If the pathway stabilizers are not activated sufficiently, then it creates issues.  Watering and compacting the stabilizer allows the materials to absorb naturally and changes the outcome.  It is also important to look at the stabilizer amount in the mix, specifically which may have too much or not enough in relation to the other materials used.  The right measurements alter the outcome of the pathway. 

It is also important to look at the installation technique used.  Pathway stabilizers require a specific application when working with hardscapes.  If the mixture is not applied with an even consistency or with the wrong mixture, then it may not settle properly into the pathway.  Understanding the science of using the stabilizer with the hardscape is essential for the success of the project. 

Working with  pathway stabilizers alters the outcome of your hardscape project.  You want to focus on the proper applications and mixtures for your pathway.  This changes the quality of the pathway as well as the installation results that take place.  By using high – quality stabilizer materials as well as specific approaches, you will find long-lasting results. 

natural landscape productsWhether you are focusing on restoration or new pathways, you want to use the right approach.  Natural landscape products are essential for your golf course development.  The approaches available with these products change the outcome of maintenance and the development of every region.  The different elements with the pathway applications will alter the quality of your pathway over a longer period of time.  

When using natural landscape products, you have a blend with the environment and the golf course pathways you are using.  Chemical applications don’t blend with the surroundings.  Often, weathering will deteriorate the pathways, leading to more maintenance.  You will also find that pathways become unstable with materials that are not as effective. 

The natural landscape products that are available provide alternative solutions.  The porous substances with binder and DG, for example, lasts longer and withstands erosion.  By absorbing water and working with both the foundational soil and water, it is able to maintain the pathway.  The products are also able to stop heat absorption and other issues which often occur in the outdoors.  A blend of nature and science is readily available with the right products. 

The golf course materials that are used not only assist with erosion and responding positively to the environment.  The natural landscape products are able to increase the quality material and reduce maintenance.  Responding positively to the surrounding environment also allows the pathways to last for a longer time frame.  You will find that quality products reduce expenses and heighten the quality of the golf course. 

Change the approach that is used with your golf course.  If you are interested in low maintenance and higher quality materials, then you want to look at natural landscape products.  The pathway applications available are designed to resist erosion, minimize maintenance and to increase the value of your golf course. 

erosion controlWeathering and the environment damage aggregate pathways and this leads to higher maintenance requirements. Landscape Architects need to consider erosion control when designing pathway projects to extend the lifespan of their projects. 

Incorporating erosion control into your project design begins with using the right stabilizer with your decomposed granite (DG) or crushed stone. Organic-Lock, when mixed with your aggregate, significantly reduces the amount of maintenance that will be required in the long term. It helps to create a water-permeable surface that resists weathering and water damage. Landscape architects who use our formula will achieve more durability for the pathways and hardscape projects they are designing. 

Rainfall will run off traditional surfaces such as concrete. But it passes through the Organic-Lock stabilized aggregate and filters down to the water table below. Our stabilizer keeps the pathway surface from being washed away by rainfall runoff. Surface cracks, which can develop into potholes, will not form. Organic-Lock stabilized aggregates also perform well on sloped surfaces. 

A stabilizing binder increase the level of erosion control achieved in project where it is used. It responds positively to the local climate, most specifically with changing seasons, heat and water. 

Landscape designs that work in harmony with nature and respond to changes in the environment result in reduced damage and maintenance requirements. Using Organic-Lock stabilizing binder controls erosion and can improve the outcome of every project.