Sustainable Urban Development with Kalpataru’s New Ground Technology
"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second-best time is now."
As our cities continue to expand skyward, the delicate balance between concrete development and natural ecosystems faces unprecedented challenges. The modern urban landscape, characterised by its towering structures and extensive concrete surfaces, presents a paradox: while vertical growth addresses spatial constraints, it simultaneously distances residents from the healing embrace of nature.
Kalpataru, with its 50+ year legacy of architectural excellence, recognises this fundamental disconnect. In response, we have pioneered the innovative NEW GROUND technology—a visionary approach to sustainable urban development that reimagines the relationship between built environments and natural spaces.
This system creates new spaces for nature to flourish, integrating engineering with ecological principles. NEW GROUND exemplifies Kalpataru’s commitment to building not just structures but living ecosystems that benefit both residents and the environment.
The Urban Green Space Challenge
Urbanisation and Loss of Natural Tree Cover
The fast expansion of cities has caused a decrease in the number of trees in these areas. As urban areas grow, building activities move into areas with trees, disturbing nature and the relief trees offer by cooling the air. Such destruction of plants negatively impacts the environment and can harm the well-being of city dwellers.
Increase in Concrete Surfaces and Their Environmental Impact
All that concrete used for roads, buildings and parking lots has caused the “urban heat island effect,” according to environmentalists. Solar energy is absorbed in the daylight and given off in the evening, so the atmosphere becomes heated by then. Beyond heat concerns, concrete surfaces prevent natural water percolation, exacerbating flooding risks and depleting groundwater reserves—critical factors in sustainable urban planning.
Rising Microclimate Temperatures in Urban Settings
Urban areas typically experience temperatures 3-5°C higher than surrounding rural regions due to heat-absorbing materials and reduced vegetation. These elevated temperatures increase cooling energy requirements, exacerbate air pollution, and create uncomfortable outdoor conditions for residents. The warming microclimate represents a significant challenge for contemporary urban planning and sustainability.
The Need for Innovative Green Solutions
Traditional urban greening approaches fall short against modern cities spatial constraints. Limited ground-level areas and economic requirements for basement parking create scenarios where innovative solutions become essential, not just beneficial. Today’s urban environment demands green solutions that complement rather than compete with infrastructure—a challenge requiring pioneering approaches to sustainable urban development.
What is NEW GROUND Technology?
Definition: Advanced Technology for Green Spaces Over Concrete
NEW GROUND technology is a engineering system that creates thriving green spaces above concrete structures. Using specialised layers and components, it supports healthy plant growth while protecting underlying structures, transforming previously unusable concrete surfaces into lush, natural environments.
Key Applications: Underground Parking, Podiums, and Terrace Levels
The versatility of NEW GROUND technology allows for implementation across various architectural elements:
- Underground Parking Roofs: Converting parking structure rooftops into vibrant gardens
- Podium Levels: Transforming concrete podiums into verdant recreational spaces
- Terrace Areas: Creating green retreats atop residential and commercial buildings
These applications demonstrate how sustainable urban planning can reclaim spaces traditionally surrendered to concrete.
Primary Benefits: Heat Reduction, Cooler Airflow, and Natural Shade
NEW GROUND installations deliver multiple environmental benefits:
- Reduction of surface temperatures by up to 15°C compared to exposed concrete
- Creation of natural cooling corridors that improve air circulation
- Development of shade canopies that protect residents from direct solar exposure
These benefits directly address the challenges posed by urban heat islands, contributing significantly to urban planning and sustainability.
Creating Comfortable Outdoor Spaces in Urban Environments
As well as good environmental results, NEW GROUND technology improves living conditions by adding outdoor spaces for people to spend time with nature. Such areas allow people to meet, get some exercise and enjoy healthy nature surroundings in the urban setting needed for a sustainable city.
The Engineering Behind NEW GROUND
Advance Planning and Design for Soil Bodies and Drainage
NEW GROUND’s success is rooted in meticulous pre-implementation engineering, involving precise load calculations, strategic soil body placement, and robust drainage design. This ensures thriving green spaces without compromising structural integrity—a balance achieved through engineering excellence.
The DRAIN CELL Technology Explained
At the heart of NEW GROUND lies the revolutionary DRAIN CELL technology—a specialised component that creates a void for water movement beneath the soil layer. This honeycomb-like structure supports the weight of soil and vegetation while creating channels for excess water to flow freely toward drainage points. The DRAIN CELL’s unique design prevents water stagnation while maintaining structural stability.
GEOTEXTILE Layer Function: Water Passage and Soil Retention
The GEOTEXTILE layer serves as a sophisticated filter within the NEW GROUND system. This permeable fabric allows water to pass through while preventing soil particles from entering and potentially clogging the drainage system. The precision-engineered material strikes the perfect balance between water permeability and soil retention—a critical factor in long-term system performance.
Drainage System Design for Efficient Water Management
NEW GROUND incorporates a comprehensive drainage network that collects and channels water from the soil layer to designated outlets. This system prevents waterlogging—which could damage both plant roots and underlying structures—while conserving water for landscape irrigation. The drainage design exemplifies how technical innovation supports sustainable urban planning by addressing multiple environmental concerns simultaneously.
Species Selection and Planting Considerations
- Tree Selection Based on Beam Depth: Engineers and horticulturists match species with structural capacity to ensure stability as roots develop.
- Strategic Design for Taller Trees: Areas with enhanced soil depth (up to 1.2m) positioned above primary supports allow for impressive tree growth without compromising structural integrity.
- Creating Lush Ecosystems: Diverse combination of shrubs, groundcovers, and flowering plants creates natural-looking landscapes that remain attractive year-round.
- Seasonal Adaptability: Strategic planting provides shade in summer, sunlight in winter, and rotating colours throughout the year, enhancing community living through adaptive landscapes.
Technical Specifications of the NEW GROUND System
Complete Layer Structure (Basement to Finished Level)
The NEW GROUND system consists of precisely engineered layers, each serving specific functions:
- Protection Layer: Safeguards the waterproofing from damage
- GEOTEXTILE Filter: Allows water passage while retaining soil
- Lightweight Engineered Soil: Supports plant growth
- DRAIN CELL Layer: Creates water flow channels
- Irrigation System: Delivers water efficiently to vegetation
- Plant Material: Trees, shrubs, and groundcover species
- Structural Slab: The foundational concrete surface
- Waterproofing Membrane: Protects the structure from moisture
This integrated approach exemplifies how new ground technology harmonises engineering and ecological principles.
Surface Drain Access Chamber Design
The system features strategically placed access chambers with removable covers that blend with the landscape while enabling drainage network maintenance, ensuring NEW GROUND’s longevity.
Light Weight Soil Composition and Benefits
NEW GROUND uses specialised lightweight soil—30% lighter than conventional topsoil while maintaining essential nutrients and water-holding capacity. This reduces structural load while supporting robust plant growth, showcasing how technical innovation advances sustainable urban development.
Soil Depth Requirements for Various Plant Types
The system accommodates varying planting needs through gradient soil depths:
- Large trees: 1.0-1.2m soil depth
- Medium trees: 0.8-1.0m soil depth
- Shrubs and small plants: 0.5-0.8m soil depth
- Ground covers: 0.3-0.5m soil depth
This variability allows for diverse planting schemes while respecting structural limitations—a hallmark of sophisticated sustainable urban planning.
Implementation Strategy
Extending Basement Slabs to Compound Walls
NEW GROUND begins with extending basement slabs to the compound wall boundaries, maximising green space and ensuring a smooth transition between built and natural elements. This extended slab forms the foundation for a unified landscape across the available area.
Perimeter Plantation Along Compound Walls
Strategically designed perimeter plantations form natural green screens along property edges, offering privacy, reducing noise, and enhancing aesthetics. The thoughtful placement of larger trees along these borders reflects the system’s balance of function and visual appeal.
Creating Ideal Walking Paths and Welcoming Experiences
NEW GROUND features permeable pathways that enhance water management while connecting development areas. The integration of paths, gathering spaces, and natural elements encourages outdoor engagement.
Addressing Structural Support Challenges for Trees
Specialised supports accommodate larger trees while maintaining structural integrity, creating landscapes with impressive canopies—a distinctive benefit of new ground technology.
Detailed Component Analysis
The Eight Critical Layers of the NEW GROUND System
1.2m Soil Depth Layer
Areas with enhanced soil depth create opportunities for significant tree growth, transforming concrete landscapes into lush, park-like environments. These deeper soil bodies are strategically positioned above primary structural supports to ensure stability and safety.
Surface Drain Access Chamber
These essential maintenance points feature carefully designed chambers that provide access to the drainage system while maintaining landscape aesthetics. The chambers incorporate debris filters that prevent clogging while allowing efficient water movement.
Drainage Cell Layer
The specialised honeycomb structure creates a void space that facilitates water movement while supporting the weight of soil and vegetation above. This component is essential for preventing water stagnation and ensuring long-term plant health.
Light Weight Soil
The engineered growing medium combines organic matter, mineral components, and specialised additives to create an optimal environment for plant growth while minimising structural load—a perfect example of how new ground technology balances ecological and engineering requirements.
Basement Structure
The system integrates seamlessly with the underlying structure through careful load calculation and strategic reinforcement. This integration ensures that the green space enhances rather than compromises the building’s structural integrity.
Finished Level
The visible landscape integrates harmoniously with surrounding architectural elements, creating a cohesive design that elevates the overall aesthetic of the development. The finished level serves as the living interface between residents and the engineered system below.
Compound Wall Integration
NEW GROUND extends to property boundaries, creating continuous green spaces that maximise environmental benefits and spatial efficiency. This comprehensive approach represents a hallmark of thoughtful sustainable urban planning.
Neighbouring Site Considerations
The system incorporates design elements that respect adjacent properties while maximising benefits for residents. Careful selection of boundary plantings prevents shade encroachment while maintaining privacy and aesthetic appeal.
Water Flow Management Within the System
NEW GROUND features advanced water management where rainfall is captured at the surface, filters through soil and GEOTEXTILE fabric, then drains via cells to collection points. Water is either stored for irrigation or diverted to stormwater systems, embodying a circular, sustainable resource management approach.
Environmental Benefits and Impact
Microclimate Temperature Reduction
Independent studies demonstrate that NEW GROUND installations can reduce surface temperatures by up to 15°C compared to conventional concrete surfaces. This dramatic cooling effect creates more comfortable outdoor environments while reducing the energy requirements for indoor temperature regulation—a significant contribution to urban planning and sustainability.
Carbon Footprint Mitigation
The vegetation supported by NEW GROUND technology actively sequesters carbon dioxide, helping to offset emissions associated with urban activities. A single mature tree can absorb approximately 21 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually, transforming NEW GROUND installations into active carbon sinks within the urban landscape.
Creating Natural Cooling and Shade
The tree canopies and vegetation supported by the system create natural cooling through both shade and evapotranspiration—the process by which plants release water vapour, cooling surrounding air. This passive cooling mechanism demonstrates how new ground technology harnesses natural processes to enhance urban environments.
Long-term Ecological Advantages
Beyond immediate benefits, NEW GROUND installations contribute to biodiversity by creating habitats for birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. These enhanced ecological networks support pollination, natural pest control, and improved air quality—establishing vibrant ecosystems within urban settings that grow more valuable over time.
A New Ground for Tomorrow
As urban development challenges intensify, Kalpataru’s NEW GROUND technology offers a visionary solution that transforms concrete surfaces into vibrant green spaces, reconciling built environments with natural systems. This pioneering system addresses multiple urban issues simultaneously—mitigating heat islands, enhancing biodiversity, and improving air quality—while also fostering community connection, supporting wellbeing, and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with nature.
Kalpataru’s commitment to sustainable urban planning extends beyond environmental considerations to encompass the human experience. The landscapes created through NEW GROUND technology foster community connection, provide restorative natural settings, and enhance overall quality of life—benefits that transcend mere aesthetics to touch upon fundamental aspects of wellbeing.
