Enhancing Ecosystems and Biodiversity Paul Nolan, Green Infrastructure: Planning for the Liverpool City Region
Supposing we thought differently Amenity to Necessity Green Space to Green Infrastructure Critical Infrastructure Valued
Lineage of greenbelt Greater London Regional Planning Committee in 1935. The Town and Country Planning Act 1947 allowed local authorities to include green belt proposals in their development plans. 1955 designation of clearly-defined green belts. Green Belt which was established to support regeneration within the urban area of Merseyside. Its general extent was defined in the Merseyside Structure Plan adopted by the former Merseyside County Council in December 1983.
Well wooded Landscape Cherished 30 year plan Partnership Team Setting for Sustainable Growth (progress?) Delivery through programmes and projects
GI helping with the big issues Climate Change Demographic change and health issues Energy security Finding competitive advantage in a global economy Funding
Green Infrastruture The region s life support system The network of natural environmental components and green and blue spaces that lies within and between the North West s cities, towns and villages which provides multiple social, economic and environmental benefits.
Green Infrastructure differs from conventional approaches to open space planning as it looks at conservation values in concert with land development, growth management and built infrastructure planning, whilst other conservation approaches are typically undertaken in isolation from or even in opposition to development Benedict and Mc Mahon - 2000
Overcome the language problem
type functions benefit value
Provides ecosystem services & delivers a range of benefits Critical infrastructure Supported by evidence Green Infrastructure
Priorities for Liverpool City Region Setting the Scene for Growth, Supporting Health and Wellbeing, Providing for Recreation, Leisure and Tourism, Developing the Rural Economy, Supporting Adaptation to Climate Change, Enhancing the Ecological Framework.
Typology Mapping What have we got? Where is it?
Function What is the green infrastructure doing what functions Accessible does it provide? water storage Shading from Water the Evaporative Trapping air sun cooling pollutants infiltration Shading from Corridor the sun for Soil wildlife stabilisation Heritage Evaporative Biofuels cooling production Aesthetic Habitat for wildlife Cultural asset
Need Where are functions most needed?
ASSETS
STILL NEEDY
I m biodiversity too! What about me?
Impacts on our health LOW LEVELS OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IN AREAS WITH HIGHER LEVELS OF HEART DISEASE, MENTAL ILL HEALTH AND POOR AIR QUALITY
MENTAL HEALTH
Economics Supporting Information http://bit.ly/givaluationtoolkit
Stanley Bank Triangle Project 3000000 2500000 2000000 1500000 1000000 500000 0 Costs and Benefit Cost Economic benefit 1 Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation 2 Water management & Flood Alleviation 3 Place & communities 4 Health & Well-being 5 Land & Property Values 6 Investment Costs and Benefit
Evidence www.ginw.co,uk http://www.eforestry.gov.uk/forestdss/webpa ges/bgi/home.jsp
Why bother? Sefton Meadows It is so beneficial to the community because so many families can get out and about which is important. It is doing its bit to bring nature back to where it should be. Sutton Manor It's brilliant; we have the hills to climb and the pathways are perfect. It is really beautiful. I really appreciate having greenery and somewhere to take a nice walk on a sunny day to relax, listen to the birds and look at the wildflowers away from the concrete and the housing estates.
Challenges Continue to deliver Priority and funding Short term thinking Maintaining focus in a time of great change Continue to develop the ideas
Summary The Mersey Forest has a clear objective and remit for greenbelt Green Infrastructure approach works! Critical Infrastructure that provides for biodiversity and ecosystem services Can we continue to promote this approach in an age of austerity?
Thank You Paul Nolan Director The Mersey Forest paulnolan@merseyforest.org.uk www.merseyforest.org.uk