News

Green infrastructure missing from Housing and Regeneration Bill, says Landscape Institute

22nd November 2007

Landscape Institute News Release

The Landscape Institute today (November 22) stressed the vital importance of green infrastructure in the wake of the Housing and Regeneration Bill.

Responding to the Bill, Landscape Institute Director General Marion Bowman called for a greater understanding of the concept of green infrastructure, which can deliver a network of green spaces and natural elements that intersperse and connect our cities, villages and towns. Ms Bowman voiced concern that resources for green infrastructure are not currently available and called for safeguards that a sufficient proportion of investment in the proposed new eco-towns is directed towards creating high quality public spaces.

Ms Bowman said: “Green infrastructure creates green networks that will meet the increasing recreational needs of communities whilst delivering flood alleviation and water storage, adaptation to climate change, alternative transport routes and high quality landscape that support varied activities.

“The Landscape Institute believes that all new eco-town plans should be required to include a comprehensive, town-wide green infrastructure proposal. This will provide character and sense of place, in water management and flood protection, education, employment and in recreation. Green infrastructure is integral to the sustainable development of housing provision and associated land uses.

“Its effective provision will require resourcing, in terms of both funding and skills for landscape planning, design and management. The Landscape Institute is concerned that these resources are not adequately available and urges the government to address this deficiency. Landscape architecture is the profession best able to provide a holistic approach to creating places where people want to live and work both now and in the future.”

Ms Bowman added that a robust approach to climate change adaptation should permeate all of the government’s plans for housing delivery, particularly in New Growth Points and eco-towns where the demand for new development will be highest.

ENDS

Media contacts:

James Gosling, Media and Public Relations Officer

T: 020 7299 4528

E: jamesg@landscapeinstitute.org

Paul Lincoln, Director of Communications and Marketing

T: 020 7299 4506

E: paull@landscapeinstitute.org

Note to Editors

The Landscape Institute is the professional body and regulator for landscape architecture. Under its Royal Charter the Landscape Institute is charged with protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for the benefit of the public.

Landscape architecture is the profession best able to provide a holistic approach to creating places where people want to live and work both now and in the future. The Landscape Institute promotes landscape architecture as the environment and design profession, one that works with communities to create places that respect their environmental context and contribute to a high quality of life.

Green infrastructure is defined as “the network of green spaces and natural elements that intersperse and connect our cities, villages and towns. It is an holistic approach to viewing the natural environment which acknowledges the multiple benefits and vital functions it provides for the economy, wildlife, local people and communities alike.”