Introduction to the Green Infrastructure Framework
“Good quality Green Infrastructure (GI) has an important role to play in our urban and rural environments for improving health and wellbeing, air quality, nature recovery and resilience to and mitigation of climate change, along with addressing issues of social inequality and environmental decline” (Natural England, 2021).
The UK Government, through ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’, committed to the development of a Green Infrastructure Framework to support and encourage the greening of places and spaces.
What is it?
The Green Infrastructure Framework provides a range of practical resources to support Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and developers to fully consider GI needs and opportunities in both policy and practice.
When fully developed, the framework will:
- Identify principles around why GI is important, what is meant by good GI, and how to deliver it.
- Set clear standards, a design guide and case studies to support high quality GI planning and delivery.
- Provide insight and mapping to help explore current provision of GI across various types, and the ability to view such provision against key considerations – such as population densities, health data, demographics, socioeconomic factors etc. – to help identify needs.
“Countryside” by Sean MacEntee is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Why use it?
Green spaces provide significant benefits to people and communities. They provide habitats to support nature and biodiversity, can contribute to tackling climate change, and are proven to benefit health and wellbeing of those interacting with it.
Despite the benefits, there is inequity of access to such spaces. While some places benefit from a range and scale of GI, we know there are areas significant lacking, where the local population are unable to access green space with the ease they would wish.
The framework allows decision makers and those who can influence GI to act in accordance with best practice and evidence on real local challenges and needs.
“Pocket Park” by charmcity123 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Where next?
At time of writing, the full framework remains in development, however the principles and mapping tools are already available – meaning there is no reason to delay in considering the framework throughout policy development and place making practices.
The Green Infrastructure Mapping Tool is available via ‘More content from Healthy Place Making’ below, and further information on the framework can be accessed via Natural England’s dedicated webpages.
“Titchfield Park, Mansfield” by Enchufla Con Clave is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
More content from Healthy Place Making
Natural England: Green Infrastructure Mapping Tool
Natural England's Green Infrastructure (GI) Map allows users to view information on the type and location of GI, with easy-to-use filters allowing specific types of infrastructure to be selected, and additional datasets - such as deprivation indices, population density, demographics and health information - to be overlaid. The tool can assist in identifying gaps and opportunities to support policy and development decisions linked to green infrastructure.
Read more about "Natural England: Green Infrastructure Mapping Tool"
The National Forest: Connectivity Through Walking and Cycling
The National Forest embraces 200 square miles of the Midlands, and aims to link the two ancient forests of Charnwood and Needwood. Having planted over nine million trees, the National...
Read more about "The National Forest: Connectivity Through Walking and Cycling"
Exploring the Barriers and Enablers to Active Travel Among 50-70 Year Olds
This report summarises the findings of Ageing Better's work on active travel and, for the first time, sets out the factors that govern active travel behaviours in people aged 50 to 70.
Read more about "Exploring the Barriers and Enablers to Active Travel Among 50-70 Year Olds"
Engaging Young People in the Making and Managing of their Neighbourhoods: A Toolkit
The places we build and manage should provide opportunities for everyone, including young people. Despite making up around 20% of the population, young people are routinely left out of discussions around the future of their neighbourhoods - yet creating active and healthy environments can build a habit of participation to last a lifetime. Voice, Opportunity, Power is a free resource with practical guidance on how to involve young people (11-18) in the way that places get built and managed.
Downloads
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