March 27th 2024
New pro toolkit helps communities unlock green space
The resource contains advice for individuals and organisations looking to improve and introduce natural assets to their area.
Developed by engineering consultancy Ramboll and Planning Aid for London, a free planning service, the kit is aligned with the Mayor of London’s green infrastructure strategy.
The UK capital is made up of 20% green space, but still falls well below the minimum standards. 170,000 residents do not have access to green space within 10minutes of their home. The Green Space Toolkit looks to empower communities and aid in the design, development, and maintenance of new nature pockets.
‘Being part of creating and maintaining a local green space can support communities to be more resilient and create a sense of local stewardship,’ said Rebecca Dillon-Robinson, Principal Urban Planner at Ramboll. ‘Yet the planning system can be difficult to navigate, especially for our most disadvantaged communities, who are often time poor and for whom English is not a first language.
If we want to create an equitable city, we need to ensure everyone can take part in the planning system and we hope this toolkit goes someway to achieving that. Furthermore, the toolkit offers insights to visioning, designing and biodiversity,’ she continued. ‘By bringing this thinking into the planning at the beginning, the value of these spaces can be maximised and can contribute to tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis and support climate resilience.’
Among other things, it includes guidance on navigating complex development laws and regulations, which are known to be a particular obstacle to disadvantaged communities. Walkthroughs on applications, legal requirements, key actions and case studies are all provided.
You can download the kit here.
‘It was great to collaborate with Ramboll on this project. We know that access to green spaces is important for good health and wellbeing and yet many underserved communities in London do not have adequate access to them,’ said Denean Rowe, Project Manager at Planning Aid for London. ‘We hope that this toolkit will serve as an important tool for those groups to create and maintain green spaces in their neighbourhoods.’
More resources:
Local Climate Bonds Toolkit guides councils to £3billion green funding
Image: Markus Spiske