Biodiversity and Climate Change assessment

We recently conducted a Biodiversity and Climate Change assessment for the NHS Lothian estate with Natural Capital Solutions. There was a number of sites in and around Edinburgh to visit and examine the potential changes that could be made to improve the natural capital that supports biodiversity and a wide range of benefits on these hospital and GP surgery sites. Read the summary report here.

Evaluation Projects: #1 Parks for People programme

We recently finished writing up one of the case studies in the evaluation of the National Lottery Community Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Parks for People programme. This was led by Dr Will Eadson at Sheffield Hallam University. Nicola got to go on a fascinating visit to Lincoln to Boultham Park - the full report can be found here. This project is followed by evaluation work on the Future Parks Accelerator, also funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund (and National Trust). Watch this space for updates.

Stakeholder perceptions of different urban landscape management approaches

Dr Jinvo Nam’s doctoral research focused on exploring how acceptable and feasible different approaches to urban landscape management are according to different stakeholders. We talked to residents, parks managers and park users about their attitudes towards increased naturalistic planting, community food growing and income generation in their local park. The papers we wrote on this in our about page.

Innovative models of contracting out in four countries 

Within the current context of austerity, where many Local Authorities are exploring alternative approaches to managing green space. We are doing a collaborative project with academic partners in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, exploring how UK local authorities structure the management and maintenance of parks and other green spaces, streets and highways. A survey was sent out to all local authorities to gather and share information about current practice in contractual arrangements for green space maintenance. The paper we wrote on this in our about page.

Sheffield Places Project

Researchers at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Landscape are examining how cross-sector partnerships in the city of Sheffield work on the ground. The project (funded by the ESRC) brings together individuals and groups involved in green and open space management to exchange ideas about partnerships in practice. Read more…

2008-12 was a European partnership project involving six EU countries that focused on innovative approaches for planning, designing, maintaining and using private and public open spaces.

2012-to date aims to promote re-use of vacant sites by working transnationally to implement innovative spatial planning policy instruments, and by stimulating regeneration and sustainability across the North Sea Region of Europe.

2008-12 was a Europe wide partnership looking at where to target resources to maintain green infrastructure at a city/regional scale to deliver the greatest economic benefits.

2003-08 was a European project demonstrating the link between landscape quality and investment decisions. It found the level of management a key factor in investors’ perception of an area as a good place to invest.