Green Infrastructure Resources and Evidence
In this section:
Resources
Green Infrastructure Presentation (PowerPoint)
This presentation is for champions of Green Infrastructure. Please feel free to use the ideas and evidence in these slides to promote green infrastructure in your local area.
Climate Change Presentation (PowerPoint)
This presentation is for champions of Green Infrastructure. Feel free to use the ideas and evidence (within the presentation notes - to access these right click on the link above and 'save target as' - this will download the presentation to your computer and you can then access the full range of PowerPoint functions). More information, tools, reports and evidence on climate change can be found at Climate South West.
Map of case studies (Map + PDFs)
A google map showing various Green Infrastructure case studies around the South West.
A table showing Green Infrastructure activity in the South West, by county.
Links
Green Infrastructure
Forest Research - the research agency of the Foretry Commission provides a searchable database of published research on a wide range of topics including the Benefits of Green Infrastructure Knowledge Portal
South West Environment Observatory
Climate Change
Climate South West hold research and information to help design and develop green infrastructure.
Freshwater
The management of freshwater and estuary water quality is driven by the river basin management plan. The plan is promoted by the Environment Agency and sets out long term targets for enhancing the region's water bodies.
The Environment Agency provide a guide to developers which includes links to case studies.
Well designed Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) provide many opportunities for integrating green infrastrucutre into developments.
Marine and estuarine environment
The Tamar Estuary Consultation Forum, and the Exe Estuary Management Partnership hold research information.
The Environment Agency has a coastal monitoring programme which looks at erosion, beach profiles and other changes.
Plymouth University hosts a Centre of Excelence for the marine environment - the Marine Science Partnership.
Economic benefits
Natural economy project in North West England: www.naturaleconomynorthwest.co.uk/
The economic benefits of forestry and trees: www.forestresearch.gov.uk/fr/urgc-7EEGJR
Does money grow on trees? www.cabe.org.uk/files/does-money-grow-on-trees-summary.pdf
Natural England's natural development project provides a range of case studies, research and practical advice building from experience in London and the Thames Gateway
Valuing Greenspace. Green spaces, house prices and Londoner's priorities June 2003. Mayor of London, London Development Agency www.london.gov.uk/mayor/economic_unit/docs/valuing_greenness_report.pdf
Biodiversity
Biodiversity south west maintains the digital 'Nature Map' The Nature Map illustrates the best areas to maintain and expand terrestrial wildlife habitats at a landscape scale.
Landscape and design
Landscape Character is key to the design and integration of the green infrastructure to the built environment it serves. Each Green Infrastructure Strategy and delivery plan needs to address this. A Landscape chapter on the Regional observatory contains all the necessary links.
Landscape Institute Position Statement on Green Infrastructure
CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment)
English heritage - sense of place and historic characterisation
Living Roofs - advice on Green Roofs
Urban Trees
London's Urban Forest: A Guide for Planners, Designers and Developers - The RE:leaf London campaign aims ot increase London's tree cover by 5% by 2025. This guide, entitled 'The Canopy' reveals some of the myths surrounding urban trees and reveals how the RE:leaf vision can be realised.
Big Society, People Health and access
The Forestry Commission has recently published urban health and health inequalities and the role of urban forestry. This report explores urban health issues and health inequalities and identifies the links between urban forestry and health in urban populations. It also outlines current gaps in research and identifies opportunities for a focus on urban forestry and health and well-being in urban areas.
Bristol University has carried out recent research looking at the relationship between green space and how much activity people do.
The Peninsular College of Medicine and Dentistry has set up an Environment and Human Health Institute
GreenSpace SW promote the benefits of parks and green spaces for people, this includes research across the SW, and connects with a wide range of agendas.
The Big Society Challenge is a document recently published by Keystone Trust and outlines the philosophy and case studies which may support action to deliver Green Infrastructure
Ecosystem services & defra information and research
Some information is still available on the Defra archived website
Maps
These are maps showing regional scale evidence for developing Green Infrastructure policy and strategey. A map showing case studies and other delivery of Green Infrastructure can be seen from the Strategic Activity signpost.
A range of map-based information can be found at Magic.
Map showing Protected Areas in the Region (pdf file)
This map shows landscape designations such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Map showing Accessible Green Space - one of the key functions of green infrastructure.
This map indicates the amount of free and accessible green space within 'super output areas' across the region. The areas with little accessible green space per head of population provide us with an indication across the region of those areas lacking green space when considering enhancements to green infrastructure. (Some of the urban data is not yet up to date, so this map shows the worst case scenario within some cities).
Map showing Higher Level Stewardship targetting for the Region
Countryside Stewardship is part of the strategic and funding framework for delivering Green Infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
We hope to develop a map giving us a clear picture of those areas in the region with greatest need in terms of environmental quality - a bundled measurement of a range of environmental and social indicators. Improvements to Green Infrastructure could well have a positive impact on some of those measures.
Green Infrastructure Geographic spatial vision for the SW Region
A map showing biodiversity and designated land overlain by sub-regional economic zones and Growth Points.
This provides a spatial view of the extent of green infrastructure across the region, those areas of greatest environmental value in terms of climate change adaptation, biodiversity and landscape quality. When combined with sub regional economic zones and the 10 growth points it indicates where there may be greatest pressure, or most opportunity for enhancement and protection.
Protected Landscapes
Those areas that show marked change with the character of the countryside include Somerset, Wiltshire, North Dorset and Cornwall. Green Infrastructure developed in this area should ensure that countryside character is enhanced.
We hope to develop a map giving us a clear picture of those areas in the region with greatest need interms of environmental equality - a bundled measurement of a range of environmental and social indicators. The provision of high quality green infrastructure can improve all these indicators.
Communities and Local Government (CLG) and Neighbourhood Statistics have published the Indices of Deprivation 2010. The Indices of Deprivation (IoD) have been used extensively by central and local government to identify areas that would benefit from additional targeted resources. The Indices have, for example, been used to identify areas eligible for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding and Local Enterprise Growth Initiative. The new IoD 2010 updates earlier versions of the Indices with more recent data. Most of the indicators used in these statistics are from 2008.
Full Report: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/indices2010
Dissemination and visulisation: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/mar/29/indices-multiple-deprivation-poverty-england
Super Output Areas
Urban / Rural Classification
Population statistics
Natural England Regional Targeting Plans
If you experience any problems with this page, please contact the content owner: naomi.wright@naturalenlgnad.org.uk
