A TEAM of Bradford scientists have come up with a tool that could completely change the way in which urban developments are planned and built.

They have spent 10 years developing the Tranquillity Rating Prediction Tool, which measures how “relaxing” and peaceful urban public spaces are.

They believe the tool could help shape the redevelopment of urban areas by convincing developers to introduce trees, vegetation and open spaces to new developments.

In a new paper published in the Urban Forests and Urban Greening journal, lead researcher Professor Greg Watts says that in time the tool could allow users to make the most of green spaces as part of the development process, all before a spade hits the ground.

Studies have found that while quiet, green spaces promote relaxation, litter, graffiti and road noise all have the potential to reduce it. Introducing vegetation into an environment, a process which is called ‘greening,’ is one way to improve tranquillity.

But until now planners have had to make assumptions as to the impact this will have.

The system uses three measures of an urban environment, including soundscape, landscape and factors like the amount of natural features like trees, flowers or water in the eye-line.

The environment is then given a score between 0 and 10. An outstanding tranquil environment was Glen Etive in the Scottish Highlands, which got a high score of 9.1. However even an urban park can exceed seven.

Based at the Bradford Centre for Sustainable Environments, Professor Watts and his team have spent a decade testing and validating the system in the laboratory and field studies, and have even used the research to create a 3.5-mile “tranquility trail” around Bradford city centre, taking in the city’s more relaxing locales.

Prof Watts said: “By varying different factors – the amount of greenery, or introducing noise attenuating barriers or quieter road surfaces for instance – planners can understand the impact of their decisions.

“Planners can use it to assess how tranquil new developments would be, making changes to the plans if required.

“The tool could also be useful to environmentalists arguing against the removal of trees, shrubs or urban green spaces. Residents could argue for more trees, shrubs and flowers to improve the appearance of jaded town centres and suburban areas.

“These measures should also help to counter threats such as over development, tree removal or traffic densification that might threaten existing benefits.”