1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Coventry
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
The Hub (Green Roof)
Short description of the intervention
“The Hub, a new purpose-built student building (at the heart of the Coventry University campus) was designed to enhance the student experience, i.e. offers space to meet up with friends or study informally.” The building also includes a number of green credentials such as: ground source cooling from a borehole on-site; natural ventilation; grey water harvesting (rain water for the toilets); solar water heating and a green roof.” (Ref. 1)
Address

The Hub, Coventry University, Priory Street,
Coventry
CV1 5FB
United Kingdom

Location
Point location, which indicates where the NBS takes place
Total area
8950.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Building
Website of the intervention
https://divisare.com/projects/183066-hawkins-brown-tim-crocker-coventry-univers…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2010
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2010
End date of the intervention
2011
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
The project was completed in 2011. (Ref. 1, 2)
The project was completed within 17 month. (Ref. 10)
Goals of the intervention
The Hub aims to "[bring] together state-of-the-art facilities for student's informal learning and well-being under one roof". This includes the creation of green spaces (i.e. a green roof), which aims to support student well-being and increase biodiversity. (Ref. 1, 2, 3)
Quantitative targets
Create a home for over 10 000 students. (Ref. 2)
new 8950 sq m building. (Ref. 2)
Monitoring indicators defined
number of students finding a home in Hub (Ref. 2)
sq m of new building. (Ref. 2)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Water management (SDG 6)
Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Improving mental health
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Implementation activities
Completed Coventry University Hub, a new 8950 sq m building. (Ref. 2)
The “building also includes a number of green credentials such as ground source cooling from a bore hole on-site; natural ventilation; grey water harvesting (rainwater for the toilets); solar water heating and a green roof.” (Ref. 1)
The building includes sustainable water technologies, and the green roof “helps slow down the flow of rainwater run-off into the drainage system mitigating the effects of flash flooding”. (Ref. 4)
The roof terrace also “maximises the opportunity for green spaces and offers striking views across the university campus and city centre beyond.” (Ref. 2)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Nature on buildings (external)
Green roofs
Other
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Institutional green space
Other
Green areas for water management
Other
Please specify "other external building green"
"a large sedum roof and also benefits from a roof garden which is due to be replanted in winter 2019" (Ref. 11)
Please specify "other urban green space connected to grey infrastructure"
ground source cooling from a bore hole on site (Ref 1, 2, 4) ; natural ventilation; (Ref 1)
Please specify "other green areas for water management"
the green roof “helps slow down the flow of rainwater run-off into the drainage system mitigating the effects of flash flooding” (Ref. 4)
"grey water harvesting (rain water for the toilets)" (Ref. 1)
Please specify other type of green roof
"a large sedum roof and also benefits from a roof garden which is due to be replanted in winter 2019" (Ref. 11)
Type of Green Roof
Other
What is the level of innovation / development of the NBS related to water management?
Low: Simple rain water collection intervention (rain garden, local seepage pit) or simple permeable areas
Vegetation Type
Other
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
offers space to meet up with friends or study informally (Ref 1)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Educational and research amenities (nature protection centre, monitoring stations)
Viewing and outlook points
Other
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Flood regulation
Other
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Other
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Social and community interactions
Please specify "other provisioning service"
grey water harvesting (rain water for the toilets) (Ref 1, 2,4)
Please specify "other regulating service"
greywater harvesting (rainwater for the toilets) (Ref 1)
Please specify "other habitat and supporting service"
"The Hub green roof consists of a large Sedum roof and also benefits from a roof garden which is due to be replanted in winter 2019. The increase in biodiversity helped the building achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent‘ rating." (Ref. 11)
Scale
Spatial scale
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Researchers/University
Citizens or community groups
Other
Please specify "other primary beneficiary"
Students, Coventry University. (Ref. 1)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Non-government actors
Researchers, university
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
Coventry University commissioned Hawkins\Brown (London-based architects) to create a ‘home from home’ for its 10,000+ students. (Ref. 1, 2)
Key actors - initiating organization
Researchers/university
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Educational actor (schools or universities)
Please specify other Key actors - Other stakeholders involved
10,000+ Coventry students (Ref. 1, 2)
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Researchers/university
Other
Land owners
Educational actor (schools or universities)
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Citizen monitoring and review
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
The 'Climate Change Strategy for Coventry', which mentions that the universities (e.g. Coventry University) have incorporated green roofs and rainwater harvesting into their newest buildings. (Ref. 6)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific climate change policy or plan
Please specify other vegetation type
"a large sedum roof" "roof garden" (Ref. 11)
green spaces (i.e. a green roof), biodiversity. (Ref. 1, 2, 3)
grey water harvesting (Ref 1)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The University has a student-facing Facebook page ‘GreenatCU’ dedicated to engagement of students in sustainability. (Ref. 7)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
A report from Dr Susanne Charlesworth of Coventry University ('How best to green the city'). (Ref. 8)
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Investment through the University's redevelopment scheme. (Ref. 9, 10)
Co-finance for NBS
No
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
20 000 000 (Ref 9, 10)
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
"The £19,5m [around 20 million EUR] ‘Hub’ is part of a £125m [around 140 million EUR] redevelopment programme at the University’s city centre campus." (Ref. 9, 10)
Source(s) of funding
Other
Please specify other source of funding
The University plans to invest around £125 million in a series of buildings (redevelopment scheme). (Ref. 9, 10)
Type of fund(s) used
Other
Please specify other type of fund used
The University plans to invest around £125 million in a series of buildings. (Ref. 9)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Business models
Green densification model
Please specify other environmental impact
Water management/ Decreased water use (Ref 11)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Technological
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The green roof “helps slow down the flow of rainwater run-off into the drainage system mitigating the effects of flash flooding. (Ref. 4)
Please specify social innovation
Recreational, meeting place for students. (Ref. 1, 2)
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is completely new without connections to previous initiative(s)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Coventry University commissioned Hawkins\Brown to create the new a new 8950 sq m building; "which brings together state-of-the-art facilities for student's informal learning and well-being". (Ref. 1, 2)
Replicability/Transferability
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The next stage of the university's redevelopment programme in 2012 (after the opening of the Hub in 2011) was the opening of the Engineering and Computing Building, which also includes a green roof. (Ref. 1, 4)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Reduced noise exposure
Water management and blue areas
Increased protection against flooding
Improved stormwater management
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Reduced biodiversity loss
Other
Description of environmental benefits
-"Overall water use has dropped in 2016/17 attributable to a reduced residential water use. We remain in the lower quartile for total water use within the sector. Rainwater harvesting... help[s] contribute to this." (Ref. 11); The green roof “helps slow down the flow of rainwater run-off into the drainage system mitigating the effects of flash flooding. (Ref. 4)

-The green roof “helps slow down the flow of rainwater run-off into the drainage system mitigating the effects of flash flooding”. (Ref. 4)
- "a large sedum roof and also benefits from a roof garden which is due to be replanted in winter 2019. The increase in biodiversity helped the building achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent‘ rating." (Ref. 11)
- "The scheme achieved its ‘Excellent’ rating by:
• Using borehole water as the heat rejection medium for the central cooling
plant;
• Specifying 70m solar thermal collectors for hot water;
• Designing the natural ventilation strategy;
• Harvesting rainwater from the roof for use in WC flushing;
• Installing a mains water leak detection system;
• Recovering heat on mechanical ventilation systems;
• Extensive sub-metering of major energy loads;
• Specifying efficient internal and external lighting; and,
• Using best practice sustainable acoustic design." (Ref 10)
"The roof garden extends the learning space into the outdoors where daylight and natural ventilation are carbon free. (Ref. 10)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Improved physical health
Improved mental health
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Increased appreciation for natural spaces
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Description of social and cultural benefits
- mental health: "A roof terrace maximises the opportunity for green spaces and offers striking views across the university campus and city centre beyond." (Ref. 2)
-connection to nature/appreciation nature spaces: “The campus plays host to a range of activities as part of their courses which range from design projects, surveying, as a “stage” for drama and fashion shows, sports activities and to sit and study. The green roofs are now becoming regular locations for longer term studies by graduate students.” (Ref. 11)
"The roof garden extends the learning space into the outdoors where daylight and natural ventilation are carbon free. (Ref. 10)
-Coventry University commissioned Hawkins\Brown to create the new a new 8950 sq m building; "which brings together state-of-the-art facilities for student's informal learning and well-being". (Ref. 1, 2)
-"Responding to a growing trend of students living at home with their parents and travelling in to the University for the day, Informal Learning provides a place for students to pass time between lectures – to socialize, relax or carry out private study." (Ref. 2)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
The scheme achieved its BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating by:
• Using borehole water as the heat rejection medium for the central cooling
plant;
• Specifying 70m solar thermal collectors for hot water;
• Designing the natural ventilation strategy;
• Harvesting rainwater from the roof for use in WC flushing;
• Installing a mains water leak detection system;
• Recovering heat on mechanical ventilation systems;
• Extensive sub-metering of major energy loads;
• Specifying efficient internal and external lighting; and,
• Using best practice sustainable acoustic design. (Ref 10)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Water management (SDG 6)
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Please specify other method used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown, but “a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating was achieved through a analysis of the most cost effective sustainable measures at each stage.” (Ref. 10)
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
The university and its buildings will reopen from September 2020.
"In our open access spaces, such as The Hub at our Coventry campus, there will be designated seating areas for the consumption of food and for individuals/small groups to use without booking." (Ref. 12)
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
Yes
Link to monitoring/evaluation reports
https://www.google.se/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&v…
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
“A BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating was achieved through a analysis of the most cost effective sustainable measures at each stage.” (Ref. 10)
Link to the output of assessments
https://www.google.se/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&v…
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Unspecified precisely, however: Coventry University is committed to environmental sustainability: students, staff, the community and local partners are all engaged in achieving their goals. (Ref. 7)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1
Ref. 2
Ref. 3
Ref. 4
Ref. 5
Ref. 6
Ref. 7
Ref. 8
Ref. 9
Ref. 10
Ref. 11
Ref. 12
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
Ref. 6 (1011.06 KB) 1011.06 KB
Ref. 10 (200.35 KB) 200.35 KB
List of references
Ref. 1. Coventry University (2012) Coventry University building wins prestigious architecture award. Available at: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/primary-news/coventry-university-building-wins-prestigious-architecture-award/ (Accessed 25 August 2020).
Ref. 2. Divisare (2011) Hawkins\Brown Coventry University Hub. Projects. Available at: https://divisare.com/projects/183066-hawkins-brown-tim-crocker-coventry-university-hub (Accessed 25 August 2020).
Ref. 3. Max Fordham (n.d.) The Hub, Coventry University. Projects. Available at: http://www.maxfordham.com/projects/the-hub-coventry-university (Accessed 25 August 2020).
Ref. 4. Coventry University (2016) Environmental Sustainability Report. Coventry. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 5. Coventry Telegraph (2015) Look: Three Coventry University buildings which have changed the face of the city. Available at: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/look-three-coventry-university-buildings-8820282 (Accessed 25 August 2020).
Ref. 6. Coventry City Council (n.d.) Climate change strategy for Coventry. [Document provided].
Ref. 7. Coventry University (n.d.) Environmental Information. Available at: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/life-on-campus/the-university/green-campus/ (Accessed 25 August 2020).
Ref. 8. Building 4 Change (2011) How best to green the city. Article #802, Charlesworth, S. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 9. Coventry University (2015) University announces 'most significant' campus development in its history. Available at: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/primary-news/university-announces-most-significant-campus-development-in-history/ (Accessed 25 August 2020).
Ref. 10. Made (n.d.) The Hub. Coventry University. [Document provided].
Ref. 11. Coventry University (n.d.) Landscape and Management Plan 2019-2023. Available at: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/globalassets/media/global/09-about-us/policies/environmental-information/landscape-and-management-plan-2019-2023.pdf (Accessed 25 August 2020).
Ref. 12. Coventry University (n.d.) Our plans to welcome students to campus in September. Available at: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/coronavirus-info/our-response-to-covid-19/ (Accessed 25 August 2020).
Comments and notes
Additional insights
Section 4/policy drivers/local: Unknown although “the university has bought four civic from Coventry City Council. And the site is set to be transformed when the council moves to its new base at Friargate (regeneration project) in 2017”. (Ref. 5)

Section 4/enablers: "Responding to a growing trend of students living at home with their parents and travelling in to the University for the day, Informal Learning provides a place for students to pass time between lectures – to socialize, relax or carry out private study." (Ref. 2)
Public Images
The Hub 1
Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hawkinsbrown.com%2Fprojects%2Fcoventry-university-the-hub&psig=AOvVaw1_v3xEovIvDrgoNk1KUlE2&ust=1598509435820000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLjjrvCduOsCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
The Hub 2
Source: https://www.hawkinsbrown.com/projects/coventry-university-the-hub
The Hub 3
Source: https://www.akt-uk.com/projects/the%20hub%2C%20coventry%20university