Greening

The creation of greenspace through greening brownfield land is a key element in helping to create sustainable communities, some recognised in the Sustainable Communities Plan (see Governance and Policy). The Plan stated that it wanted to see the creation of "safe and healthy local environments with well-designed public and green space”.

Greenspace is seen as essential for several reasons including landscape improvement and economic regeneration, provision of recreational and sport opportunity, connection with nature, and flood defence. Other societal claims for urban greenspace include enhancement of urban biodiversity, atmospheric pollution mitigation, reduction of the urban heat island effect, carbon sequestration. The significant benefits of greening has been recognised by the government's Urban Spaces Taskforce which produced Green Spaces, Better Places (2002) (this report can be accessed here).

However, greening brownfield sites poses significant technical and social challenges. Many urban derelict sites have a low economic value, hence not attracting investment from redevelopers (see Creating a Setting for Investment (CSI) here).

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