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Brownfield regeneration to greenspace
Posted on: 1 February 2012
By: isadm
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A collaborative project between Forest Research and the University of Surrey has been looking to tackle the issues associated with the process of brownfield regeneration to greenspace. The research has used case studies and qualitative data to identify and map out the main stages in the process. A model of the brownfield to greenspace regeneration process has been produced, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of brownfield greening and the sustainability of new greenspace. The model should assist practitioners new to brownfield greening as well as promote best practice in organisations alive in regeneration. The next stage in the project will investigate what types of information practitioners prefer when they are using best practice and guidance such as our greening model. As part of this process, Forest Research is keen to hear from those involved in regeneration, the resources they use and when they use them.
Green infrastructure and open environments
Posted on: 1 February 2012
By: isadm
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Preparing Borough tree and woodland strategies. Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance
The Mayor of London has published draft Supplementary Planning Guidance on tree and woodland strategies for consultation. It sets out an approach to trees and woodland that: covers the audit, protection and management on trees and woodland in line with Policy 7.21 of the London Plan; highlights the asset value of trees and woodland, both in financial terms and the broad range of economic and environmental benefits they provide; considers all the trees in a borough as a single unified resource – an ‘urban forest’; extends the concept of an ‘urban forest’ across boundaries so that the cumulative benefits of trees to Londoners can be enhanced; takes a step by step approach to the management of trees and woodland. Comments are requested by 23 April 2012.
Value of green infrastructure in Birmingham and the Black Country
Posted on: 25 November 2011
By: mackene
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This Wildlife Trusts report presents a survey valuing a range of ecosystem services provided by the urban Green Infrastructure in Birmingham and the Black Country (containing the city of Wolverhampton and the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall). One main aim of this research was to provide information about the wide range of ecosystem services and its value to human well-being. Another aim was to provide a best practice example within the UK applying the value transfer approach to evaluate ecosystem services.
‘Greenspace is good – so prove it!’
Posted on: 18 November 2011
By: mackene
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In this two-year research programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund. greenspace scotland worked with ten community groups to use a Social Return on Investment (SROI) approach to show the social, economic and environmental value of their greenspace activities. SROI is a framework for measuring and accounting for a broad concept of value. SROI focuses on change, measuring outcomes and uses monetary values to represent them. SROI is about value, rather than money. According to the programme report, all of the projects made a positive contribution to their local communities and generated a good return on investment. The individual SROI analyses undertaken covered a wide range of activities including: community growing; diversionary use of greenspace; community engagement; youth volunteering; health walks; and environmental competitions. A report of the findings and key learning points from the programme are available online together with a SROI Guide and related supplements which set out a step by step approach to completing an analysis of social return.
Greener neighbourhoods: a good practice guide to managing green space
Posted on: 16 November 2011
By: mackene
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High quality housing green spaces have proven to make a huge impact on the lives of tenants, residents and other people living in local neighbourhoods, according to a new good practice guide from Neighbourhoods Green, a national partnership initiative to champion the importance of social housing green space and to help social landlords and communities raise the quality of their design, management and safe use. This practical resource outlines the evidence base that will support managers to make the case for investment. It builds on the 10 principles of the Decent homes need decent spaces action plan developed by the Neighbourhoods Green partnership in 2010 and provides illustrative case studies and links to further good practice, useful websites and publications.
All London Green Grid: Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance
Posted on: 7 November 2011
By: mackene
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The All London Green Grid takes the principles of the East London Green Grid and applies them across London. The concept of a “green grid” – an integrated network of green and open spaces together with the Blue Ribbon Network of rivers and waterways – is at the centre of the London Plan’s approach to the provision, enhancement and management of green infrastructure. Comments are requested by 27 January 2012.
A guide to the benefits of urban trees
Posted on: 13 October 2011
By: mackene
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Greenleaf Urban Tree and Landscape Products has published a guide on the benefits of urban trees, which will be distributed to councillors and local government officers. The 12-page guide has been created to help educate policy and decision makers on the many ways in which trees can improve urban environments.
Local green infrastructure: helping communities make the most of their landscape
Posted on: 11 October 2011
By: mackene
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Landscape Institute has published a new report which aims to inspire people to make positive changes in their neighbourhoods by thinking about the potential offered by the natural environment and integrating this into the way places are planned, designed and managed. The current interest in local empowerment and decision-making offers good opportunities for action and the publication presents eight cases studies where green infrastructure has been woven into the fabric of local communities. They reveal the potential of green infrastructure to bring a wide range of benefits, including: enabling wildlife to flourish, reducing our contribution to climate change, reducing the risk of flooding, providing space to grow food and learn, weaving together local communities, and delivering multiple economic benefits.
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Manual for Cities: Ecosystem Services in Urban Management
Posted on: 7 September 2011
By: mackene
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ICLEI President, David Cadman, has launched the latest TEEB tool for cities, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Manual for Cities: Ecosystem Services in Urban Management. This practical guide for cities highlights how a focus on ecosystem services and their valuation can create direct benefits for urban areas and can be performed even with limited resources. It was written in partnership between ICLEI, the TEEB for Local and Regional Policy Makers team and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The TEEB Manual is a practical resource, outlining the step-by-step strategy introduced in the TEEB Report with real-life examples from cities around the world that have employed this approach. At a European level, the TEEB guidance needs to be translated into action through the development and review of National Biodiversity Strategies. Furthermore, ecosystem values need to be included in discussions about alternative financing and resource mobilisation.
Managing green spaces: Seven ingredients for success
Posted on: 1 July 2011
By: mackene
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This report from CABE examines how the organisation and structuring of parks and green space services affects their performance. It brings together evidence to assist green space managers, corporate decision-makers and advisors in deciding the future of services. It sets out seven ‘ingredients for success.’ It also outlines the resources that green space managers can draw on to describe the critical services that green space provides to local communities.
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