green space and communities: a life's work (morning session)

05/11/2012 1

Video: Incredible Edible Todmordon

http://youtu.be/ZGVgVgo-C30

http://youtu.be/ZGVgVgo-C30

05/11/2012 3

Regenerating the post industrial communities of North West

England

Professor John Handley

Green Space and Communities: a life’s work

Reconnecting people and place in hard times

Manchester Town Hall, Wednesday 31st October 2012

Green Space and Communities: a life’s work

“…I’ve assumed that at least part of your narrative will be about what happened in the North West over a number of years and what that brings in terms of learning and insight.”

Conference brief

The nature of landscape“Landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors.” European Landscape Convention, 2000

“Environment sustains us as creatures; landscape displays us as cultures.”

Source: Meinig 1979

Three dimensions of landscape scale

Source: Selman, 2006

future

present

past

pristine

(agri)cultural

urbanic

national regional local

Temporal

Spatial

Modification

The North West Region

Contrasting Regional Perspectives

Heritage Landscapes

Castle Rigg Stone Circle, Cumbria

Coterill Clough, Manchester

Degraded Landscapes

Acornfield Plantation – before & after

The Environmental Legacy• Smoke & sulphur dioxide pollution• Water pollution of rivers & aquifer drawdown• Derelict & despoiled land

Dealing with the legacy

• Strategic plan for the North West, 1971• Establishment of Government Office for the

North West, 1972• Creation of Metropolitan Counties, 1974• Response to the Toxteth riots, 1981

Toxteth Riots – the aftermathThe Scarman Report recognised that the 1981 riots (in Toxteth in Brixton) did reflect social problems, such as poverty and deprivation. Government responded by sending Michael Heseltine as a “Minister for Mersyside” to set up the Merseyside Task Force and launch a series of initiatives including Liverpool International Garden Festival, The Mersey Basin Campaign and Operation Groundwork.

The Mersey Basin CampaignA strategic long-term programme to:

• Restore water quality • Promote waterside regeneration• Secure community engagement

A public private partnership underpinned by political commitment and European legislation.

Rivers in the Mersey catchment: a polluted and degraded resource

Source Manchester City Council

The Mersey Basin Campaign: Medlock and Tame River Valley Initiative

Sustainability and The Mersey Basin Campaign

Source: Wood, Handley and

Kidd,1999

Mersey Basin

Campaign

Environmental Sustainability

Public Sector

Social Sustainability

Voluntary Sector

Economic Sustainability

Private Sector

(Water quality, biodiversity)

(Landward regeneration)| (Community networks)

“Operation Groundwork is being launched as a national experiment to regenerate land blighted by industry and town development. The first project is around St. Helens and Knowsley – others will follow if it succeeds.”

Source: Groundwork Prospectus, 1981/2

The Groundwork Trust will:

• Co-ordinate capital programmes

• Carry out small scale projects itself

• Build a working partnership

“Operation Groundwork is being launched at a time when public and private resources are scarce – indeed, the design of the project stems from the need to devise new ways of achieving social and economic objectives when money is tight. The aim is to harness resources which already exist in a local community.”

Source: Groundwork Prospectus 1981/2

Groundwork North West

In July, 1982 Heseltine declares that this approach must now be rolled out across North West England, with 5 more Groundwork projects in the next wave:

• Macclesfield • Oldham and Rochdale• Rossendale

• Salford and Trafford• Wigan

John Davidson establishes Groundwork North West

Rossendale Groundwork

“The Rossendale Groundwork Trust was established to conserve and improve the

landscape and environment of Rossendale and to promote the understanding and enjoyment of

the countryside.”

Rossendale Groundwork Rossendale Groundwork projects:

• Mending dry stone walls

• Waymarking footpaths

• Farm open days and tree planting

• Training in countryside skills

• Trails, footpath and bridleway guides

• Conservation of natural features and older buildings

• Developments of farm tourism

• Countryside management schemes

• Land reclamation schemes

Community involvement is central to the Groundwork approach

“Each Groundwork Trust is established with a clear objective to bring about local environmental regeneration through a partnership with the local community. Local ownership is an essential asset of the Groundwork approach and individual Trusts develop their own programmes based on local needs.”

Groundwork Foundation, 1992: Groundwork Operating System

Capturing the benefits of community involvement in neighbourhood renewal

“Measuring outcomes is the most meaningful exercise if we are interested in how far the goals of a project have been achieved or how long-lasting the difference will be.”

New Economics Foundation, 2000

The challenge of sustaining community involvement in greening

Christine Bradley reviews community greening and concludes that successful projects require a strategic approach:

• Key worker strategy • Rules and rewards strategy • Controlled access strategy

Christine Bradley 1986, Community Involvement in Greening, Groundwork Foundation

Community greening revisitedIn 2009, Emma Hewitt reviews the role of community green space projects in promoting sustainable community cohesion.

Nine projects are reviewed against 10 indicators of community cohesion.

Three types of project were included:

• Parks and gardens• Community orchards and allotments• Street and local area greening initiatives

All projects were in the operational phase.

Modes of engagement vs success of green space projects in promoting cohesion

Source: Hewitt, 2009, University of Manchester

Effect of typology and scale in achieving community cohesion

Source: Hewitt, 2009, University of Manchester

The challenge of managing restored landscapes

“At the outset of Operation Groundwork reservations were expressed that the new landscapes created by land reclamation would place a heavy burden on the thinly spread resources of local authorities.”

Groundwork Trust Annual Report, 1984/5

The Public Landscape System

Labour

Land

Capital

Management System

Public Landscape

Landscape Budget

Local Authority Income

LandscapeUtilisation

Source: Handley and Bulmer, 1987

Making the most of greenspace Maximise landscape benefits whilst minimising costs through:

• Encouraging a natural approach• Promoting community involvement• Introducing new sources of income• Improving landscape efficiency

Making the most of greenspace Making the most of greenspace resonates with modern concepts such as: • Landscape Benefit• Multi-functionality• Green Infrastructure • Ecosystem Services

Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station

Capital and revenue costs of reclaimed derelict land

The Mersey & Red Rose Forests – a strategic partnership in the Mersey Belt

Community Forestry provides a setting for redevelopment for housing…

Courtesy of Richard Cass Associates

…and a multifunctional solution in its own right (Mersey Community Forest)

Bold Moss : a large-scale demonstration project by the Groundwork Trust

Working with peopleduring

after

before

Working with nature

meadow wetland heathland

0

5

10

15

20

2.0

-2.5

2.6

-3.0

3.1

-3.5

3.6

-4.0

4.1

-4.5

4.6

-5.0

5.1

-5.5

5.6

-6.0

6.1

-6.5

6.6

-7.0

7.1

-7.5

7.6

-8.0

8.1

-8.5

Fre

qu

en

cy

0

5

10

15

20

2.0-

2.5

2.6-

3.0

3.1-

3.5

3.6-

4.0

4.1-

4.5

4.6-

5.0

5.1-

5.5

5.6-

6.0

6.1-

6.5

6.6-

7.0

7.1-

7.5

7.6-

8.0

8.1-

8.5

Freq

uenc

y

pH range pH range

An ecological approach to land restoration:

• works with the grain of natural recovery• regards physico-chemical variability as a positive asset – a

template for biodiversity• recognises that humankind is ‘within nature as part of the

natural eco-system’• promotes meaningful social engagement through effective

community involvement• seeks to achieve long-term sustainability of the restored

landscape

Testing the Ecological ApproachTo examine the effectiveness of an ecological approach (within Groundwork’s Changing Places Programme) through evaluating:

i. The effectiveness of community participation;ii. The extent to which natural processes are

involved;iii. The long-term sustainability of the restored

landscape.

Key lessons for building sustainable landscapes

• Maintaining community involvement beyond short-term project implementation;

• Developing a long-term ecological vision;

• Devising a land management mechanism with an income stream.

Source: Groundwork and University ofManchester Ecoregen project team, 2002

Land Management Model

Land

scap

e Be

nefit

Management intensity

Covenanted Greenspace

Tangible product

Endowment funding

Non-market benefits Revenue

Source: Groundworkand University ofManchester, 2002

Blue-print for a National Land Restoration Trust

“English Partnerships, Groundwork, the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency will create the Land Restoration Trust to restore and manage brownfield land that is suitable only for use as public green space. The Trust will work in partnership with local communities.”

Source: ODPM, 2003, Planning for sustainable communities

The Land TrustTen years on The Land Trust is now an established charity with in excess of £50 million endowed funding and a substantial estate, including the restored Liverpool Festival Gardens.

The virtuous circle underlying landscape condition

Virtuous CircleLandscape Quality Quality Of Life

• Enhancing personal well-being• Landscape character ’valorised’• Land-care efforts sustain

population base, social structures and traditions

• Investment in land care• Vibrant economy and customs• Adding to or sustaining built,

natural and social capital

Source: Selman, 2006

Conclusion

“The choice then is not between old and new but between good landscape and bad. But it is a choice, and even though it is sad that the old must go (as it always has been), the true tragedy is not that the old must go but that the new should be bad.”

Nan Fairbrother (1970) ‘New Lives, New Landscapes’

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Richard Sharland for inspirational discussions and to Jayne Mann of

Groundwork MSSTT for invaluable help with this presentation.

05/11/2012 51

The BLACK COUNTRY

More GREEN and BLUEthan BLACK

'Hints on Breathing Places for the Metropolis and country towns and villages ' (1829)

J.C. Loudon

“the destruction of forests leads

to violent alternations of temperature

and an increase of

floods”

Midland Re-afforesting Association

circa 1912

“The presence of trees,

besides being pleasant to the

eye, and refreshing to tired workers, will improve the general

health of the district”

Midland Re-afforesting Association

circa 1912

BLACK COUNTRY FIRSTS

• The Endless Village, 1978• First Urban Wildlife Group, 1979• First nature conservation strategy, 1981• Black Country Urban Forest, 1990• Urban Nature Improvement Area (NIA) 2012

FUTURE CHALLENGES

• Responding to climate change• Improving health & wellbeing

Climate changeand modern living put the environment - and people -under much more stress

Business as usualwill not be enough

recreation

GROUNDWORK• Impressive track record• Exceptional alumni

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31st October 2012, Manchester

David LlewellynValleys Regional Park

www.thevalleys.org.uk

Creating a New Vision for The Valleys‘Maximising the social and economic potential

of the natural and cultural heritage’


PASTHow did we get here? Personal reflectionsPRESENTWhere are we? The ChallengesFUTUREThe vision: how are we going to get there? (Re-) Connnection

1913 - Peak of production and manpower57 million tonnes of coal produced - >30% of the world’s coal exports

232,800 men employed - >200 deep mines31st October 2012, Manchester

The Valleys


Cwmtillery 1972

The Valleys: Changing Landscapes


Cwmtillery 1962



Cwmtillery 1972



Cwmtillery 2012



Cwmtillery 2012Cwmtillery 2012



Cwm Darran, 1972



Cwm Darran, 2012


Blaenrhondda, 1947




Blaenrhondda, 2012


AberfanFriday October 21st 1966

144 people killed - 116 children31st October 2012, Manchester

Rhondda Valleys Development Plan, 1968

1960-1966: 40 ha (4 schemes)1976-1987: 3618 haDavies CS, Environmental Management (1988) 12, 479-490 31st October 2012, Manchester


1985-91: Large scale closures of deep mines in south Wales1994: Closure of Tower Colliery, the last deep-mine in south Wales



Working with Nature Working with People Conserving local identity Commitment to design & innovation

1997 - Partnership between CCW, EAW, WDA, FCW, WTB and local authorities Groundwork Wales co-ordination

Continue reclamation of derelict land:• Landscape strategies• Countryside Strategies• Objective 1 EU funding (2000-2006)



Taf Bargoed Valley


Commended


1913 - Peak of production and manpower: 57 million tonnes of coal produced - > 30% of the world’s coal exports

232,800 men employed – > 200 deep mines31st October 2012, Manchester

The Valleys: the Legacies and Challenges


“A 13 mile journey between Abertillery and Abergavenny should not mean a potential life expectancy difference of four years”Dr. Tony Jewell – former Chief Medical Officer for Wales BMJ 2008; 337: a2805


1881 1921 1961 20010

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

• high levels of economic inactivity/low quality of jobs and opportunities• low educational attainment and skills levels• high incidence of long-term health problems• declining population (demographic change)• an unfavourable image• poorly equipped town centres and a lack of quality housing • limited transport and poor telecommunications in some areas


2011



The Valleys: (Re) Connecting People and Place

1934 Special Areas Act – South Wales Valleys

“Nothing is more important than the problems of the Region should be fully understood by its own people...out of which, let us hope... action will come.”

South Wales needs a plan (1935)HA Marquand Professor of Industrial RelationsUniversity College, Cardiff

Lloyd and Jackson 1949


The Valleys: A Future Vision?

Valleys Regional Parks Proposal

• 4 areas suggested• “....should have good pathway systems, with adequately planned bus stations, car parks, shelters and restaurants.”• Shared funding approach

Lloyd and Jackson 194931st October 2012, Manchester



• Change the image and perception of the Valleys• Generate jobs and business based on the environment, culture and

sustainable tourism• Create an environment that stimulates enterprise and investment• Increase training opportunities and help improve education

standards• Improve the quality of life and health for valleys’ citizens• Develop strong, cohesive communities

Valleys Regional ParkParc Rhanbarthol y Cymoedd


Framework 2005-2007> 500 consultees > 30 organisations

Partnership Action Plan31st October 2012, Manchester



VRP£22M

WECAN KESS




Themes Objectives

Transformational Landscapes for Visitors Strategic landscape initiatives

Enhancing our visitor centres Country parks, nature reserves

Loops and Links Cycling, walking, riding - access

Community Pride Total Focus Clean, pleasant environment

Community Tourism Grassroots tourism

Training the ambassadors (ESF) Trained Advocates

Events Programme Additional attractions

Management and project delivery

TOTAL £22 M

44 infrastructure projects funded - 40 interpretation projects* Economic Analysis by WERU/Cardiff Business School ERDF E4G convergence funding 2009-2013





The Future: (Re-)Connection/Connectivity Strategic planning – local delivery (communities at the heart)

Opportunities and challenges• Sustainable tourism• Local food production – how do we scale up?• Housing – affordable high-quality social housing and environment• Vibrant town centres with sustainable transport and connected countryside• Green Spaces used for health• Energy production• Climate change – uplands

More robust evidence base• Health – KESS

Communication – language

Measure success differently/Vibrancy – economic growth

New models of cooperation and funding• Blue Green Gym



The Valleys: A Future Vision - Prosperous Communities

• Community Tourism Ambassadors• Guardians

Sustainable Tourism


Green Jobs and Skills




Local Energy production


CAERAU MARKET GARDEN

• Groundwork Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot

• Caerau Development Trust• Valleys 2 Coast Housing• Bridgend CBC• Federation of City Farms and

Gardens• Communities First Caerau• Valleys Regional Park WECAN

SUDS; Skills development; Multiagency; Sustainable through revenue generation; Fit with valley Eco-connectivity; schools involvement; Evaluate community engagement;Increased biodiversity.

The Valleys: A Future Vision - Healthier Communities


LLYNFI VALLEYValleys 2 Coast HousingSteve Curry

Ekostaden Augustenborg, Malmö

Environmental improvements have transformed Augustenborg from a neighbourhood in decline to an exemplar of an environmentally adapted urban area - an attractive place to live and work

“turnover of tenancies has decreased by almost 20% and the environmental impact has decreased to a similar degree.”

The Valleys: A Future Vision - Improved housing and environment


Translating Exercise-Derived Health Benefits From The Laboratory To The CommunityJane Thompson, Paul Hewlett, Barry MacDonnell, Richard Webb

Regular participation in a green-exercise programme is beneficial in improving systemic health.

• Mental wellbeing was improved • CVD risk was reduced via reductions in both

arterial stiffness and total blood cholesterol levels

• Expression of genes (CD36 and ABCA1) involved in the conversion of LDL (bad-) to HDL (good-cholesterol)

www.physicalactivityandnutritionwales.org.ukMetformin cost to NHS - £60.5 million

The Valleys: A Future Vision - Healthier Communities

http://www.physicalactivityandnutritionwales.org.uk/

Working together for Economically-prosperous Communities through Assets of Natural heritage

1) Assess the economic and social potential2) Improve corporate engagement3) Evaluate Visitor Payback4) Stimulate the Social Economy

(Community Engagement/Enterprise)


The Valleys: A Future Vision - Developing new opportunities

Green Infrastructure Valuation Toolkit

VRP PILOTSSUDS – Market GardenNative Tree Nursery Western Valleys Woodland Plan

Quantitative:Rural Proofing/Welsh values (CCW/FCW)Qualitative:Community evaluation (resource planning)*

free open source resource www.bit.ly/givaluationtoolkit

Blue Green Gym Corporate/Community partnerships


The Valleys: A Future Vision - Developing new opportunities

A framework for assessing the potential economic and wider returns from investment in natural assets and landscape improvementsNatural Economy Northwest

http://vimeo.com/46889168

http://www.bit.ly/givaluationtoolkit

http://www.bit.ly/givaluationtoolkit

http://vimeo.com/46889168


The Valleys: A Future Vision

Regional Green Infrastructure Plan

City Region(s)

Connectivity

“To be truly radical is to make hope possible, rather than despair convincing.”

Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich sylw - Thanks very much for your attention


Raymond Williams

www.thevalleys.org.ukTWITTER - @VRPvalleys

http://www.thevalleys.org.uk/

05/11/2012 116

Video: Stroud Woodland Cooperative

http://youtu.be/PyIGXbVRUjA

http://youtu.be/PyIGXbVRUjA

green space and communities: a life's work (morning session)

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