September 2008 Issue
Mayor’s plan to ‘green’ London
The Landscape Institute has applauded the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy launched by Mayor of London Boris
Johnson. The document outlines measures to prepare London for the effects of unavoidable climate change, placing the capital’s green spaces at the heart of efforts to reduce flood risk and offset the urban heat island effect.
Susan Lowenthal, chair of the London branch of the Landscape Institute, said: “We are delighted that Boris Johnson has recognised the importance of green space, as well as encouraging the development of green roofs, particularly given the recent decision to drop the 100 Public Spaces programme. Current climate conditions are likely to remain with us for decades to come and society must adapt appropriately to these changes.
“The Mayor has stated that he intends to convene a forum of key stakeholders responsible for green spaces to develop an ‘urban greening programme’. Landscape architects have a critical and central role to play in the delivery of climate change policy objectives and need to be playing a leading role in this forum. We have been saying for some time that climate change adaptation needs to be afforded a greater priority in the policy-making process.
“The skills, expertise and holistic approach to placeshaping of the landscape architect are critical to the creation of environments that are robust and flexible to climate change.”
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