Vision & Principles
With heightened awareness and concern around major sustainability issues – from climate change to obesity – the context for planning and development has changed. We urgently need to re-vision and restructure how we live in urban areas – and greenspaces are a fundamental part of that re-visioning.
Greenspaces include: parks, allotments, woodlands, gardens (both publicly and privately owned), heaths, meadows, fields, city farms, hedgerows, embankments, green/planted ‘civic space’, roof gardens and vertical greenery (eg climbing plants and green walls). We need also to consider ‘blue infrastructure’ (eg lakes, ponds, canals, streams etc.) and its relationship with ‘green infrastructure’.
THE VISION for 21st century greenspace
Our vision is for South West towns and cities that integrate networks of greenspace (green infrastructure) which support communities to be healthy, productive, socially-just and to live within environmental limits. Sustainable communities require greenspaces that promote community well-being, inclusion, cohesion and self-sufficiency (eg in food, energy and skills) and support resilience to climate change impacts. Greenspaces can bring benefits to local authorities and other agencies by supporting attractive and vibrant towns and cities and offering a cost effective alternative to managing and maintaining built environments.
THE PRINCIPLES
In every community greenspaces should apply the following principles in unison:
Health and well-being
Support safe, accessible and appealing recreation, relaxation and play opportunities for the community. Develop programmes which maximise the well-being benefits of community participation in greenspace (eg fresh air; interaction with neighbours; access to wildlife etc)
Safety and ‘ownership’
Actively maintain and manage greenspace so it is perceived as safe and is cared about by all segments of the community. Use the principles of ‘passive surveillance’ and ‘secure by design’ to discourage crime and anti-social behaviour.
Active participation and inclusion
Encourage active community participation and representation in greenspace development. Ensure participation is inclusive and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, disability or faith.
Local Food
Support the development of local food cultivation that contributes to local food markets/networks and reduce and reuse food waste through composting schemes.
Energy and waste
Maximise the potential of locally-owned (council or community) sustainable biomass and other renewable energy schemes (including wind and solar). Find sustainable uses for ‘green waste’.
Biodiversity
Enhance and create wildlife habitats and corridors for the survival and adaptation of healthy local ecosystems (including developing green ‘veins’ to outlying rural areas) and actively reverse declines in local soil quality.
Climate impacts and pollution
Develop resilience to increased flood, drought and soil erosion risks through good drainage, tree planting and water management
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© 2007 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.