How landscape edging can improve stormwater management in urban settings

Urban environments face unique challenges when it comes to managing stormwater. With increased impermeable surfaces like roads, buildings, and parking lots, rainwater runoff can quickly overwhelm drainage systems, leading to flooding, erosion, and pollution of waterways. 

Traditional stormwater management solutions often involve large-scale infrastructure projects, but there's a growing recognition of the important role that landscape design can play. And that's where Kinley's landscape edging comes in.

The urban stormwater challenge

In natural landscapes, vegetation and soil absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and replenishing groundwater supplies. However, urbanisation disrupts this natural cycle, leading to a host of problems:

• Increased runoff volume: Impermeable surfaces prevent water from infiltrating the ground, resulting in larger volumes of runoff flowing into storm drains.
• Faster runoff velocity: Smooth surfaces like pavement allow water to flow more quickly, increasing the risk of erosion and flooding.
• Pollution: Runoff picks up pollutants like oil, grease, heavy metals, and pesticides from urban surfaces, carrying them into waterways.
• Overburdened infrastructure: Existing drainage systems struggle to cope with increased runoff, leading to overflows and backups.

Landscape edging: A key component of sustainable stormwater management

Landscape edging, particularly when used in conjunction with other green infrastructure practices, can be a powerful tool for mitigating these problems. Here's how:

Creating defined planting beds for rain gardens and bioretention areas

1. Rain gardens and bioretention areas are designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff.
2. Kinley's metal edging provides a clean, durable border for these features, defining their shape and preventing soil erosion.
3. Edging helps maintain the intended design and functionality of these systems over time.

Directing and containing runoff

1. Strategically placed edging can channel runoff from paved surfaces into vegetated areas, allowing it to infiltrate the soil.
2. This reduces the volume of water entering storm drains and helps to filter out pollutants.
3. Kinley's edging solutions can be easily adapted to create swales and other drainage features.

Promoting infiltration

1. By creating distinct planting beds, edging encourages the use of permeable mulches and soil amendments that improve infiltration rates.
2. This allows more water to soak into the ground, reducing runoff and replenishing groundwater.

Preventing erosion

1. Edging helps to stabilise slopes and prevent soil erosion, particularly in areas with concentrated runoff.
2. This protects valuable topsoil and prevents sediment from clogging drainage systems.
3. Kinley's durable metal edging provides long-lasting erosion control.

Enhancing aesthetics

1. Beyond its functional benefits, landscape edging adds visual appeal to urban landscapes.
2. Kinley's range of metal edging products offers a variety of styles and finishes to complement any design aesthetic.
3. Well-defined planting beds and pathways create a more attractive and inviting environment.

Kinley: Your partner in sustainable stormwater management

At Kinley, we understand the importance of sustainable landscape design. Our metal garden edging products are designed to be both durable and environmentally friendly, making them an ideal choice for urban stormwater management projects.

• Durability: Made from high-quality aluminium and steel, Kinley edging is built to withstand the rigors of urban environments.
• Flexibility: Our edging solutions can be easily formed to create curves and other custom shapes, allowing for creative and effective stormwater management designs.
• Ease of installation: Kinley edging is designed for quick and easy installation, reducing labour costs and minimising disruption.
• Aesthetics: With a variety of styles and finishes to choose from, Kinley edging can enhance the beauty of any landscape.

Metal edging applications

• Metal garden edging: Prevent lawns from invading flowerbeds and contain loose landscaping materials.
• Footpaths: Offer durable, low-maintenance alternatives to traditional concrete or timber edging.
• Driveways: Preserve driveway performance and appearance with robust metal edging solutions.
• Play areas: Create safe and environmentally friendly ground coatings with defined edges.
• Roof gardens: Contribute to green city landscapes with versatile edging for roof gardens and terraces.

Metal edging from Kinley

By incorporating Kinley landscape edging into your urban design projects, you can help to improve stormwater management, reduce pollution, and create more sustainable and beautiful communities.

Contact us today to learn more about our products and how they can help you achieve your stormwater management goals. Let's work together to create a greener, more resilient urban environment.