Download Slide 1

Green Infrastructure and the NW region.
Martin Moss, Senior Specialist, Regional Advocacy and Partnerships Team
Purpose
• To give an overview on Green
Infrastructure.
• To outline what has been
happening in the NW to date.
Structure.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Origin
Overall concept
Underpinning concepts
Key drivers and agendas
NW Activity
The regional GI Guide
Progress with strategic planning
Some future issues
Natural England
Origin
•
•
•
•
•
Originally a US concept.
Thames Gateway – Housing and
Growth.
NW?
Community Forest succession.
Linking environment and
regeneration.
Greening the Gateway.
• Issued in 2004
• Seeks to protect and enhance the environment to:
• Enhance quality of life of new and existing residents.
• Support and protect biodiversity.
• Create a positive image.
• By creating a network of varied … greenspace … the setting
for new and existing residential and commercial areas.
• Landscape should be regarded as functional green
infrastructure … delivers a range of benefits.
Gateway contexts.
• Sustainable communities.
• Housing and economic growth
in the SE.
• Urban expansion.
• Integrating greenspace
networks into new
development.
• Protection and enhancement
of existing assets.
Characteristics of Northern Growth.
• Regeneration and restructuring of existing
settlements – urban
morphology change.
• Major land restoration –
tackling the industrial legacy.
• Housing market renewal.
Also improving the regional
housing offer.
• Public realm transformation.
• Tacking population decline.
• Boosting GVA – image,
investment, economic
productivity, new business
sector development.
Concept
• Three components:
• Purpose – what are we trying to achieve?
• Definition – what are we talking about?
• Approach – what are we actually doing about it?
Purpose
• The development of more sustainable and multi-functional
urban and rural landscapes.
• By:
• Ensuring socio-economic activity brings spatially
appropriate environmental benefits.
• Developing natural environmental systems that contribute
to providing for socio-economic needs.
• A practical means to help deliver sustainable development.
Definition – Take your pick!!
•
NW GI Guide.
•
Natural England (Draft).
•
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.
•
A strategically planned and
delivered network comprising the
boadest range of high quality
greenspaces and other
environmental features.
Designed and managed as a
multifunctional resource capable
of delivering those ecological
services and quality of life
benefits required by the
communities it serves and needed
to underpin sustainability. Its
design and management should
also respect and enhance the
character and distinctiveness of
an area with regard to habitats
and landscapes…….go to para 2
Approach
• The 5 steps –
• Partnerships and priorities.
• Data audit and mapping.
• Functionality assessment –
now, forces for change.
• Needs assessment – spatial
issues of key initial themes.
• Intervention plan.
Aiming for?
• 4 things –
• Creating new GI where
needed - often retro-fitting of
new GI into old places.
• Change the function of
existing GI to meet identified
new needs.
• Recognise what is already
good and ensure it’s
protection.
• GI planned, delivered and
maintained like other forms of
infrastructure.
Where is Green Infrastructure?
• Green infrastructure can be:
• exposed
or
hidden.
• It can exist in all land use contexts – its type, functionality and
benefits will vary – reflecting the context within which it exists.
Types, functions and benefits.
• Types – physical kinds of green infrastructure – resource v
asset.
• Functions – something the GI is physically capable of
doing/delivering.
• Benefits – what is derived from functional GI – the
outcome.
• EG:
Benefit
Function
Flood water storage.
Flood Risk Management
“Sponge” water retention.
Channel flow
attenuation
Type
Washland
pasture/meadow
Upland blanket bog
Wet woodland
The Benefits Cycle.
Selling the benefits
Buying the functions
Why? Where?
What? How?
Benefits – conceptual
outcome derived from GI
functions
Functions – What GI is physically
capable of doing.
Type – A physical form of GI that can
deliver a function.
Policy – seeks outcomes.
Delivery – Intervention.
Contexts v Types
ASSCUE
Project
UMT
Now you see it – now you don’t!
remnant countryside
disused & derelict land
distribution & storage
offices
manufacturing
town centre
retail
hospitals
schools
low density residential
med density residential
high density residential
cemeteries & crematoria
refuse disposal
water storage & treatment
energy production & distribution
river, canal
rail
airports
major roads
allotments
informal open space
formal open space
formal recreation
mineral workings & quarries
woodland
unimproved farmland
improved farmland
building
other impervious
tree
shrub
mown grass
rough grass
cultivated
water
bare soil / gravel
ASSCUE
Project
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Proportional cover
0.8
0.9
1.0
Green space v green infrastructure.
• What differentiates?
• GI = Greenspace + environmental components in non-greenspace
land use contexts.
• GI = Benefits derived from functionality.
• GI = more than a space – it’s a natural environmental system.
• Greenspace (Resource/Asset) = GI but GI is not necessarily a
space.
Green infrastructure penetration.
This is the overall GI system coverage.
ASSCUE Project
Versus - Naturalness and green space.
This is the green space contribution.
Category
1
2
3
4
Types of greenspace
Nature conservation areas
Woodland
Remnant countryside
Formal open space
Unimproved farmland
Rivers and canals
Disused/derelict land
Allotments
Church yards
Formal recreation
Informal open space
Improved farmland
% of GM
13.8
8.6
4.1
30.0
Green space
planning and
urban design.
Greater Manchester Ecological Frameworks Project
Key Drivers – Strategic agendas
• Three key areas of policy
development that have been
driving thinking on green
infrastructure.
• Sustainable communities –
driven by the growth agenda.
• Ecosystems services – quest
for integrated land, water and
living resources management.
• Natural economy – economic
benefits of the natural
environment.
NW Critical Agendas
• Last 3 years have been driven
by 5 main agendas.
•
•
•
•
•
Economic regeneration.
Land regeneration.
Ecological frameworks.
Climate change.
Flood risk management.
• Informed the development of
activities in the region.
• The growth and sustainable
communities agenda growing.
NW activity – October 2007
Natural Economy
Climate Change
Potential Economic Benefits
SREPs
ASCCUE
Valuation models
Demonstration
projects
NW CC Action Plan
Support Services
I - Tree
NW GI Forum
GI Think Tank
Planning and policy
Regional Policy and Guidance
GI Unit
www.greeninfrastructurenw.org.uk
Strategic Planning
Local Development Frameworks
Area Based Regeneration initiatives
Decision Support Tools
Regional guidance.
• Purposes;
•
•
•
•
Communication.
Guidance on process.
Case study library.
Advice on policy.
• A live document.
• The further in the less well
developed – develops as
concept becomes applied at
different scales.
• Updates via website as
experience grows.
Sub-Regional Strategy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SREPs – Programmes and
priorities - The Money people!
Natural Economy project –
influencing and demonstration.
Building support for GI activities
into Action Plans.
City Regions – Spatial policy and
planning.
Pilot strategic GI planning for the
NW.
Exploring how to go about
strategic level planning.
Developing a clearer
understanding of sub-regional
and local policy needs.
Process of strategic assessment
• Lancashire
• Manchester
• Engagement and priorities.
• Baseline mapping of GI
resource.
• Strategic position of GI in the
policy and strategy landscape.
• Gap analysis – opportunities
for investment.
• Action planning.
• Delivery.
• Agreement on key benefits.
• Stage 1 – Data review and
initial mapping. Bring
together other work –
Strategic Flood Risk
Assessment, ASSCUE, Urban
Ecological Framework.
• Stage 2 – develop a strategic
understanding – engagement
– policy advice – next steps.
• Stage 3 – Review stages 1
and 2 to agree on strategy
development.
• Merseyside.
• ???????
The future • LDFs – Core strategies –
Action Plans –
implementation.
• Pilot strategic GI plans should
develop firm advice on how to
use the GI concept and
approach in LDF processes.
• ABIs – Masterplanning.
• Begin to engage with ABIs
(URCs, HMR etc) and explore
detailed local application.
Natural England Policy.
• Inherited activities – Sustainable Communities Project and
GI activities in the North.
• Review experience and relevance of GI to Strategic
Outcomes.
• Developing policy:
•
•
•
•
•
An NE view of GI, definition and principles.
Expression in related policy documents:
Urban:
Housing and Growth:
????
Natural England activity.
• Currently embedded within the Sustainable Communities
Major Project.
• Engaged with Growth Areas, later Growth Points –
embraced City Regional work in North (Expansion of Growth
Agenda).
• Supporting City Regional Strategic Planning.
• Seeking to develop experience in ABI masterplanning for
GI.
• Engagement with “developers” to develop exemplar
greenspace projects.
• Period of transition – Expansion of Growth agenda –
Developing NE view on GI.
Planned, delivered and maintained like other forms
of infrastructure.
Regional Spatial Strategy &
Emerging Green
Infrastructure Issues
Matt Ellis
Strategic Environmental Planning Officer
October 31st 2007
Presentation Outline
The regional growth agenda – emerging
environmental issues
RSS policy framework
Green Infrastructure can help
links to spatial planning at the local level
Going for growth and the
regions environment



Draft RSS = heavily
economically driven
A step change in growth
aspirations
environmental &
infrastructure impacts:
 flood risk
 water quality
Growth and flood risk

An increased flood
risk management
challenge?
Growth and flood risk



An increased flood
risk management
challenge?
Managing our
urban drainage in
the future – an
increased risk of
surface water
and….
sewer flooding
Growth and water
quality

= an increased
volume of waste water
to treat and dispose of
Growth and water
quality


= an increased
volume of waste water
to treat and dispose of
More frequent CSO
discharges
Growth and water
quality



= an increased
volume of waste water
to treat and dispose of
More frequent CSO
discharges
Increased impact of
diffuse pollution
The emerging RSS
policy framework – How does
it respond?



RSS growth = impacts on
environmental and infrastructure
capacity
Panel report changes = aimed at
addressing these impacts and
ensuring a more sustainable plan
Of particular relevance, policies
DP1-DP8, W2, L4, EM1 and EM5
GI as a sustainable
development delivery mechanism

GI helps deliver:
 Flood risk
management
 Improved water
quality and
maximised
infrastructure
capacity
 And more….
GI and sustainable Drainage
So how does GI help?

GI = Space for
SUDS
So how does GI help?


GI = Space for
SUDS
Larger scale flood
risk management
opportunities
So how does GI help?



GI = Space for SUDS
Larger scale flood risk
management
opportunities
Maintenance and
management
So how does GI help?




GI = Space for
SUDS
Larger scale flood
risk management
opportunities
Maintenance and
management
The multifunctionality of GI
GI and the spatial planning
system



Sustainable development
is the core principle
underpinning planning
RSS Policy Framework
But what should planners
do?
Taking GI forward in spatial
plans

Address GI within LDF
process by:
 Understanding
future GI needs
 Ensuring delivery Including policies
promoting/requiring
GI
Understanding future GI needs

Identifying future needs:
 PPS25 and SFRA’s
Understanding future GI needs

Identifying future needs:
 PPS25 and SFRA’s
 Identifying a 5 year
supply of deliverable
sites – early contact
with United Utilities
Planning for future GI needs

Identifying future needs:
 PPS25 and SFRA’s
 Identifying a 5 year
supply of deliverable
sites – early contact
with United Utilities
 Ensuring delivery –
policies in LDF’s
The future?
Increased infiltration
and potential for SUDS
Natural Flood Plains
Shade and
evaporative
cooling
Image and
sustainable
transport
Good water quality, healthy
ecosystems and habitat
continuity
Thank You
Any questions?
Matt Ellis
Strategic Environmental Planning Officer
October 31st
2007
Sefton Green space strategy
Steve Matthews
Local Planning Manager
Sefton Council
Sefton UDP
• Policy framework to
require public
greenspace
• NPFA standards no
longer acceptable!
But …
• Open space study not
complete
Policy approach
• Residential development – requirement for
provision on site or enhancement nearby
Also ….
• Commercial, industrial and leisure
development …
but only
‘where clear shortage of greenspace has been
identified in a Council-approved greenspace
strategy’
Open space study
• 734 urban
greenspace sites
• benefits –
recreation, trees,
visual, wildlife
However …
• narrow approach
The green space approach
Change of direction …
• Rise in profile of green space
• CABE Space
• Other authorities’ experience – strategic
approach > extra funding
• Green infrastructure
Role of green space strategy
• Link to other
strategies
• Umbrella for
recreation studies
• Objectives of Sefton
Borough Partnership
• Corporate approach
Mersey Forest
Plan
Community
Strategy
Parks & Open
Spaces Management
Plan
Regional Spatial
Strategy
Play Strategy
North Merseyside
Biodiversity Action
Plan
Playing pitches
Strategy
Green Space
Strategy
Community Safety
Strategy
Public Health
Partnership Strategies
e.g. physical activity,
mental health
Nature
Conservation
Strategy for the Coast
Parks Strategy
Neighbourhood
Renewal
Strategy
Footpaths, Cycling &
Accessibility Strategies
Coast
Management
Plan
Steering group
• Wide representation – within
and outside Council
• ‘Green spaces’ v ‘urban
greenspace’
• Different types of benefits –
health, climate change,
involving communities,
regeneration
Developing standards 1
PPG 17 typology
Assess …
• Quantity
• Quality
• Accessibility
+ variety
Developing standards 2
Quantity
• Is there enough …? (too much? too little?)
• … of each of the different types in PPG17?
Quality
• Does it have the right kind of facilities?
• Is it well maintained?
Developing standards 3
Accessibility – 2 key aspects
• Parks and gardens
400 metres, 1km, 3km
• Accessible natural green spaces – variation
of Natural England model
400m - site of 20ha
2km - site of 20-100ha
Practical issues
• Straight line v. actual
distance
• Distance to boundary or
to entrance
• Effect of barriers
• What is ‘natural’ green
space?
• Impact on extent of
deficiency
Consultation
• Parish councils
• Community
empowerment network
• Network South
• Focus groups
• Area committees
• Pitches - leagues and
clubs
• Youth advisors
• After school clubs
Next steps
• Green space issues report
• 2 main documents:
- g’space & dev’t SPD – standards/ procedures
- corporate g’space strategy – action plan & priorities
• Supporting both documents
- strategies for … play, open space, playing pitches,
allotments
Green space strategy - opportunities
• clear priorities
• link trees money to wider
green space projects
• widen scope of what is
possible
- different partners & pots of
funding, one-off funding
• respond better to local
needs – involving the
community
The Economic Benefits of GI
GI Workshop
31 Oct 07
The Two Parts to my Presentation:
# Brief explanation of what the Natural Economy NW
Programme is and our progress to date,
# Summary of the findings emerging from the draft
Ecotec report on the Economic Benefits of Investing
in GI, commissioned by NENW.
What is Natural Economy Northwest?
• A three-year partnership programme that
maximises the benefit from existing and new
investment in the region’s natural environment delivering RES Action 113.
• A multi-agency/cross-sectoral partnership
resourced by Natural England, the Northwest
Regional Development Agency and the SITA
Trust.
• The Shared Vision – “A prosperous economic
future with a thriving natural environment”.
RES Action 113
Develop the
economic
benefits of the
region’s natural
economy
through better
alignment of
environmental
activities and
economic gain
……. and develop a
strategy for Green
Infrastructure and
Transport Corridors
NENW Programme
• Business Plan sets out several
programmes of activity ranging from
promotional and influencing activity,
training work, engaging with selected
demonstration projects to commissioning
reports and providing technical support.
• Two key strands of activity are the Natural
Tourism Programme and the GI
Programme-my focus from here on in.
NENW ORGANISATIONAL
STUFF!
• Programme managed by Natural England
using funds comprising the clever
matching of a SITA Landfill programme
with primarily NWDA funding ( with some
from NE), which pays for the small staff
team, on costs, plus limited budget for
pump priming, technical support,
monitoring and communications.
• Formal governance is via a small Board
representing the key partners.
• Wider NENW Steering Group includes the
key stakeholders- NWDA, NWRA, GONW,
EnvAg, Forestry Comm., Community
What is Green Infrastructure?
The region’s life support system; a
network of natural environment
components and green & blue spaces
that lies within and between the
Northwest’s cities, towns and villages,
and which provides multiple social,
economic and environmental benefits.
NENW GI Programme
NB - NENW Formal start 15 Jan 2007
• Ecotec Policy and Economic Benefits Reviews, &
City Greens study,
• Grey Infrastructure & Transport Corridors Review
• Lancs GI Strategy
• Work with the other 4 SRPs on Strategic Approach to
GI (+ support via Reg GIU)
• Strategic Funding Review
• Advice for Natural Economy Projects re maximising
econ benefits
• Regional GI Synergy/Inter–agency Coordination
• Selection of 6+ demonstration projects
Parallel activity on Natural Tourism
The Ecotec Report –
The Economic Benefits of GI
• Currently being finalised
• Been through many iterations,
including extenal review by
reps of the NWDA,NWRA,
GONW & NENW steering
Group
• Based on a thorough literature
review
• Identifies 9 categories of
economic benefit
• Seeks to make the link to the
NWDA’s Tasking Framework &
the 2 types of SAV –ie what
they have to deliver.
• For each category,
encapsulates the benefits, sets
out a model or diagram, and
then summarises the evidence
in a table, citing the references
• Also summarises the context +
links to key policies: eg RES,
RSS, Sub-regional Econ
Strategies, Sustainable
Communities (DCLG),
Ecosystem Services (DEFRA),
Climate Change and the SubNational Review
NB Economic development budgets tend to be bigger than environmental ones!!
The Economic Benefits of GI
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Flood alleviation and water management
Enhancing quality of place
Improved health and well being
Increased land and property prices
Creating a setting for inward investment
New opportunities for renewable energy production
Improving the tourism, recreation and leisure offer
New employment in land management and biodiversity.
Climate change alleviation
Ecosystem services and economic benefits
Flood alleviation
& water
management
Improved
Quality of place
health & well being
Supporting services
Climate change
alleviation
Land management
The
services
that
are
necessary for the production of
all other ecosystem services
including
soil
formation,
photosynthesis,
primary
production, nutrient cycling and
water cycling.
Land &
property
prices
& biodiversity
Creating &
Tourism recreation
& leisure
Renewable energy
production
setting for inward
investment
Ecosystem services and economic benefits
Flood alleviation
& water
management
Improved
Quality of place
health & well being
Provisioning services
Climate change
alleviation
Land management
The products obtained from
ecosystems, including food,
fibre, fuel, genetic resources,
biochemicals,
natural
medicines, pharmaceuticals,
ornamental resources and
fresh water;
Land &
property
prices
& biodiversity
Creating &
Tourism recreation
& leisure
Renewable energy
production
setting for inward
investment
Ecosystem services and economic benefits
Flood alleviation
& water
management
Climate change
alleviation
Land management
& biodiversity
Improved
Quality of place
health & well being
Regulating services
The benefits obtained from
the regulation of ecosystem
processes, including air quality
regulation, climate regulation,
water
regulation,
erosion
regulation, water purification,
disease
regulation,
pest
regulation, pollination, natural
hazard regulation;
Land &
property
prices
Creating &
Tourism recreation
& leisure
Renewable energy
production
setting for inward
investment
Ecosystem services and economic benefits
Flood alleviation
& water
management
Improved
Quality of place
health & well being
Cultural services
Climate change
alleviation
Land management
& biodiversity
The non-material benefits
people
obtain
from
ecosystems through spiritual
enrichment,
cognitive
development,
reflection,
recreation
and
aesthetic
experiences – thereby taking
account of landscape values;
Land &
property
prices
Creating &
Tourism recreation
& leisure
Renewable energy
production
setting for inward
investment
Flood alleviation and water management
BENEFIT
Improvement in the
quality of environment
within urban and
semi-urban locations
VALUE
Increase in Land and
House Prices
Reduction in Insurance
Premiums
Investment in Green
Infrastructure
Reduction in flood risk
for highly populated
areas
Encouragement of
inward investment
Lower clean up costs for
local and central
government
Increase in economic
activity, jobs and growth
Lower costs to
Environment Agency of
SUDS vs. Hard
engineering solutions
Increased canopy cover, increased greenspace and 'soft surfacing' and sustainable
urban drainage schemes (SUDS) reduce and control run off, improve absorption rates &
provide storage capacity, resulting in less dramatic flood events for urban areas,
thereby reducing the costs resulting from increasingly regular 'catastrophic' events.
Quality of Place
BENEFIT
Improved quality of
life for residents
Investment in
Green
Infrastructure
Increased
involvement of
local communities
in ownership and
management
Improved
attractiveness of
place for
investment
VALUE
Reduction in poor
health
Reduced
maintenance costs
through community
ownership and
management of green
space
Increased house and
land prices
New employment
opportunities from
Inward Investment
Enhanced GI provides for an improved sense of quality of place, providing opportunities for
recreation,empowerment through community ownership, and visual amenity, improving the
attractiveness of a neighbourhood with effects upon property prices, investment, employment
opportunities, and social capital.
Improved Health and Well Being
BENEFIT
VALUE
Reduction in
obesity levels
New opportunities
for formal and
informal recreation
Investment in
Green
Infrastructure
Increase in local air
quality - reduced
ozone, CO2
Reduction in costs to
the NHS and waiting
lists
Reduction in stress
related illness
Reduction in
Coronary Heart
Disease and
related illnesses
Increase in economic
activity and job
productivity
Reduction of illness
associated with
poor air quality e.g.
Asthma
Increased Green Infrastructure provides multiple health & consequent economic benefits,
through improved air quality, reduced stress levels, increased opportunities for informal &
normal physical activity and recreation, all contributing to the reduction of limiting long term
illness, and cost to the health services, reducing days lost to industry through illness
& improving productivity.
Land and property prices
Investment in
Green
Infrastructure
BENEFIT
VALUE
Higher demand for
neighbourhoods with
good access to green
space
Increase in House
Prices
Improved natural
environments within
urban and urban
fringe locations
Improvement to the
public realm and
urban design
Uplift in land values
New employment
opportunities
Developing green space and undertaking env. improvements in key locations has significant
benefits for housing and land prices. Proximity to high quality & accessible GI directly impacts
positively upon house prices. Greener cities increase visitors and spend on city centre retail
and leisure, improving rental values & increasing employment opportunities.
Creating a setting for inward investment
BENEFIT
Improved quality of life
and environment,
encouraging property
developers and investors.
Investment in
Green
Infrastructure
Revitalisation of DUN land
on permanent and
temporary basis
Green Business Parks
attracting knowledge
economy businesses
VALUE
Increased Land/
Property Prices
Growth in the
occupancy of vacant
units within Market
Towns/Key Service
Centres
Increase in economic
activity
The creation and development of green space and landscaping can encourage and attract
high value industry and workers. This can provide many benefits to urban areas in terms of
improvements in quality of life and an improved green environment can increase
opportunities for adding GVA to local economies.
Renewable energy production
BENEFIT
VALUE
New use for DUN
land for sustainable
woodlands
Investment in
Green
Infrastructure
Increase in the
number of people
accessing green
space and
recreation
opportunities in
woodlands
Opportunities for
agricultural sector
diversification
Reduction in CO2
Levels
Growth in local
access to wood,
biofuel, charcoal
markets
Increase in
production of
biofuels and
biomass
New employment
opportunities in
renewable energy
sector
Increased GI provides substantial opportunities to generate and
encourage the development of renewable sources of energy. Rural areas and the
agricultural industry undergoing structural change are provided with diversification
opportunities to supply local markets for biofuels and biomass, which in turn has
mitigation effects for climate change through cleaner energy generation and
reduced fossil fuel use.
Tourism, recreation and leisure
BENEFIT
Increased numbers of
people accessing new
woodlands and
greenspace for new
recreation
opportunities
Investment in
Green
Infrastructure
Growth in Natural
Tourism
“Green Cities” - more
attractive to investors
and visitors
VALUE
Safeguarding and
creating jobs for those
employed in Tourism
sector
New urban employment
from new visitor
economy
Increased economic
output through Natural
Tourism
GI plays a strong role in the generation of new recreation & leisure opportunities
and also stimulates economic activity within agriculture, forestry, and public services.
The potential to create green spaces within built up areas reconnects urban
communities with the land. Greening city centres attracts new visitors, in turn
supporting urban retail and tourism sectors.
Land management and biodiversity
BENEFIT
Growth in rural
diversification
opportunities for the
Land Based Sector
Investment in
Green
Infrastructure
Improved management
of the countryside
through Stewardship
Schemes
VALUE
Safeguarding and
creating jobs for those
employed in the Landbased sector
Increased economic
growth through local
procurement for
agricultural sector
Increased economic
output through Natural
Tourism and Niche
Markets
GI plays a strong role in supporting direct and indirect employment in agriculture,
forestry, land management and conservation industries. The potential to create green
spaces within built up areas reconnects urban communities with the land and
improves opportunities for local food marketing.
Climate change alleviation
BENEFIT
Providing Adaption
- microclimate control
- water management
Investment in
Green
Infrastructure
Enabling Mitigation
- carbon sink
- carbon sequestration
- O2 production
Improved Local Air
Quality
Reduced Carbon
Emissions
Local Energy
Solutions
VALUE
Reduced costs to
industry and
households
Delivering Climate
Change Levy Targets
GI provides natural air conditioning for urban areas (adaptation), reducing the need for
power consumption for heating and cooling, alongside its contribution towards
greenhouse gas absorption (mitigation) and longer term benefits in terms of managing
the impacts of climate change.
Woodland provides setting for
tourism, biofuels and education
GI in flood plain helps to manage risk
of downstream urban flooding
Upland grazing and moorland
drainage scheme slows and reduces
run-off
Riverside walk
Riding for the Disabled centre
on reclaimed brownfield land
Allotments
City Farm run
by community
Trees and green spaces in town
ameliorate effects of climate change
Sports pitches
Woodland improves air quality and
reduces particulates from motorway
GI adds value to adjacent properties
Country park on reclaimed industrial
site provides:
• Healthy leisure and exercise
• Urban wildlife
• Employment
Cycle route on disused railway line
Pond balances storm flow
Biomass operation run by social
enterprise supplies fuel to power
station
Commercial development set
within GI
Sustainable drainage system
Whole landscape scale benefits of GI
Outstanding Issues
• Quantification and the contribution GI makes to
GVA - how to compare the contribution
investing in differing “bundles” of GI will make to
closing the N/S GVA Gap as against other
demands on economic development budgets?
• Free riding - how to get all the benefiting
agencies, & other beneficiaries (eg the private
sector), to invest to secure “their” benefits?
• Who pays to ensure the ongoing underlying
ecosystem services - without which…………??
The Economic Benefits of Investing
in GI
ECOTEC (2007)
[email protected]
www.naturaleconomynorthwest.co.uk
LIVERPOOL’S
ECOLOGICAL
FRAMEWORK
Jane Hayward – Liverpool City Council
Presentation Overview






Liverpool’s open space study and green
infrastructure
Scope of the Space for Nature Study
Findings of the Phase 1 and 2 Habitat
surveys
Objectives of the Ecological Framework
and key findings
Achievements and long term benefits
Next Steps
Context – Liverpool Open Space
Study
Completed 2005
 Identified a number of different
open space typologies
 Classified land into natural and seminatural open space
 Informed Space for Nature Study

Context - Liverpool’s Green
Infrastructure
Over 3000ha of open
space
 20% protected
through designation
as local wildlife sites
 4 Local Nature
Reserves
 Mersey Estuary
SPA/Ramsar site

Liverpool Space for Nature Study


Why? – Up to date evidence base for LDF
as required by national and regional
policy
Who? Consultants (White Young Green)
 Managed by EAS
 Input from LCC Nature
Conservation Officer and LWT
Liverpool Space for Nature Study

Study divided into 3 stages:
1. Preliminary survey of all Liverpool’s
green space to Phase 1 level and identify
sites for further survey
2. Detailed botanical surveys on sites
selected in Phase 1 and recommend sites
for designation as Local Wildlife Sites
3. Ecological Framework –
recommendations for biodiversity
enhancement within the City
Phase 1
31 habitat types –
grassland dominant
followed by woodland
 Connectivity between
habitat patches
across City reducing
effects of
fragmentation and
providing
opportunities for
species migration

Phase 2

Detailed botanical
surveys on selected
sites
 Applied Merseyside
guidelines for
selection of Local
Wildlife Sites
 Recommend sites
qualifying as a Local
Wildlife Site
Ecological Framework
Local representation of
the Biodiversity Resource
and Opportunity Diagram
in RSS
 To identify:

 Core Biodiversity Areas
 Core Biodiversity Areas
with potential to
connect to one another
 Deficiency areas
Liverpool’s Core Biodiversity
Areas

Identify Core
Biodiversity Areas
Areas outside Core Biodiversity
Areas

Identify Areas outside CBAs that have the
potential to improve the integrity of the
CBAs and recommend actions for their
enhancement
• Identification of ecological buffer zones
• Restricted to natural or semi-natural green
space within 50m of CBAs
• Enhancements focussed on NMBAP
priorities
Example: Potentially suitable
areas for buffers to aquatic CBAs
Core Biodiversity Areas with
potential to connect to one another


Identify existing natural and semi-natural green space
that connects Core Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) to one
another
• Identification of direct links between CBAs
separated by no more than 500m, OR
• Identification of ‘stepping stones’ separated by
no more than 100m
• Identification of existing corridors or linkages
across a wider area, e.g. transport infrastructure
Recommend how green space connection among CBAs
could be managed to support Biodiversity Action Plan
targets
Example: Potential linkages between
CBAs - North East Liverpool
Potential Linkages between
Grassland CBAs
Deficiency Areas




Identify areas of the City that are deficient in Core
Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) by application of English
Nature guidelines
Identify areas of green space within the deficiency
areas that should be prioritised for habitat
creation and enhancement
Identify areas deficient in both CBAs and natural
and semi-natural green space, i.e. areas lacking
the potential for enhancement
Make broad recommendations for habitat creation
in these areas
Core Biodiversity and Semi-natural
green space deficiency areas
Areas potentially suitable for
enhancement within CBA deficiency areas


Most appropriate habitats
will usually be determined
by site-specific factors.
Broad habitats which
could contribute towards
NMBAP priority habitats
and species include:







Grassland
Woodland and Trees
Aquatic Habitats
Heathland
Scrub
Roundabouts
Green Roofs and Facades
Key Recommendations/ Findings




Up to 700ha of green space has the potential to be
enhanced to form a buffer for CBAs
Potential to create buffers benefiting woodland,
aquatic, grassland and parkland habitats
Significant amount of green space in the City (over
2000ha) meets criteria for creating linkages between
CBAs
Woodland CBAs not easily linked but consideration
should be given to role of urban trees, small
woodlands, hedgerows and railway lines connecting
these sites
Key recommendations/ findings
(continued)
Targeted management of railway lines could provide
significant benefits
 Lack of CBAs and natural and semi-natural green space
in and around the City Centre
 726ha of semi-natural green space exists within
deficiency areas which is suitable for ecological
enhancement
 The most appropriate habitats to create in deficiency
areas are those targeted by or which contribute to
NMBAP including ponds, reedbeds, urban trees and
woodland, urban grassland and heathland
 Novel urban landscape features such as roundabouts or
green roofs may provide additional opportunities for
habitat creation

Benefits of the Study





The most thorough appraisal of Liverpool’s
biodiversity to date
Up to date evidence base for the LDF
Fulfils RSS requirements
Recommendations will enable City Council to
contribute to NMBAP targets
Recognises the ecological function of Liverpool’s
green infrastructure and therefore contributes to
wider green infrastructure objectives
Benefits of the Study

Created a set of guidelines to enable consideration of
biodiversity issues when drafting development plan
documents which will in turn allow for :




Biodiversity to be integrated with wider social
and economic priorities for the City
The protection of the most important
biodiversity areas in the City
Green spaces outside the CBAs to be
recognised for their contribution/ potential
contribution to connecting and buffering sites
and thus assist in preventing fragmentation
and isolation of wildlife habitats
Inform the decision making process for development
proposals
 Assist in determining priorities for developer
Next Steps

How will the framework be taken
forward ?
Area Action Plans
 Developer Contributions SPD
 Technical Policies DPD
 Land Allocations DPD


Link findings with those within open
space study
Key Questions
 How
to balance and integrate biodiversity
with regeneration priorities?
 The level of protection to be afforded to
the Local Wildlife Sites
 What level of protection should be
afforded to buffers and green corridors?
 What should the focus of biodiversity
improvements be in the City?
 Open space priorities for Liverpool
Conclusion

Biodiversity enhancements must
contribute to the regeneration of the
City as well as contributing to the
creation of a multifunctional green
network within Liverpool
Further Information

Jane Hayward –
 0151 233 5654
 [email protected]


Phase One Report available on our web
site: www.liverpool.gov.uk/ldf (Evidence,
Information and Monitoring
NVC surveys and Ecological Framework
will be available once finalised.
Green Infrastructure for
Climate Change Adaptation
- the role of spatial planning
Dr Susannah Gill
[email protected]
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Climate change context
• Our climate is changing
– Warming of the climate system is
unequivocal
– Coherent changes in many aspects of the
climate system not just temperature
• Changes go beyond natural variability
– Temperature change in last 50 years is very
likely (>90% chance) due to increase in
anthropogenic greenhouse gas
concentrations
IPCC (2007)
www.merseyforest.org.uk
UK Climate Changes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Average temp increases
High temp extremes increase in frequency
Low temp extremes decrease in frequency
Sea-surface temp warms
Thermal growing season lengthens
Winter precipitation increases
Winter precipitation intensity increases
Greater contrast between summer & winter
Snowfall decreases
Summer soil moisture decreases
Sea-level rises
UKCIP02 High Confidence Levels
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Average Summer Maximum Temperature
Scenarios for the North West
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Average Summer Precipitation
Scenarios for the North West
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Average Winter Precipitation
Scenarios for the North West
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Climate Change Management
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Smit et al (1999)
Mitigation – the role of GI
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and concentrations now impacts on the
magnitude of future climate changes
• Limited but important role of GI
–
–
–
–
Carbon sequestration & storage
Direct fossil fuel substitution
Material substitution
High quality landscapes near to where
people live reducing, alternative routes to
travel - reducing the need to travel by car
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Adaptation – the role of GI
• Changes over next 30-40 years already
determined by historic emissions
• Crucial role of GI
– Moderating temperature extremes,
especially in urban areas
– Reducing volume and slowing rate of
rainwater runoff
• Flood management
• Soil erosion
– Providing wildlife corridors
– Providing recreation spaces e.g. high
capacity, less sensitive landscapes
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Key Stakeholders
Town & Country Planning Association (Chair)
Association of British Insurers
Environment Agency
North West Climate Group
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Royal Town Planning Institute
South East Climate Group
Climate Change Impacts in the
Built Environment
• Built environment is distinctive
– High building mass and low
greenspace cover leads to urban
heat island
– Surface sealing increases rate
and volume of rainfall runoff
• Climate change strengthens
this distinctiveness
• Urban greenspace helps to
moderate these impacts
• BUT climate change will also
impact on functionality of urban
greenspace
Greater Manchester UMT Map
Evapotranspiring Surfaces
UMT
‘Urban’ Tree Cover
remnant countryside
disused & derelict land
distribution & storage
offices
manufacturing
town centre
retail
hospitals
schools
low density residential
medium density residential
high density residential
cemeteries & crematoria
refuse disposal
water storage & treatment
energy production & distribution
river, canal
rail
airports
major roads
allotments
informal open space
formal open space
formal recreation
mineral workings & quarries
woodland
0
2
4
6
8
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Percentage of all 'urban' tree cover
Maximum Surface Temperatures
For a day occurring on
average twice per summer
Residential ± 10% green cover
High density residential
Max surface temp (°C)
40
35
current form
30
-10% green
25
+10% green
20
15
1970s
2020s
Low
2020s
High
2050s
Low
2050s
High
Time period and scenario
2080s
Low
2080s
High
If grass does not evapotranspire…
• Maximum surface
temperatures
increase by
– 4.7-5.7°C in high
density residential
areas
– 13.8-15.6°C in
schools
(Manchester Evening News, 2006)
Occurrence of Drought for Grass
Months/year when grass water
stressed
Adaptation in the Public Realm
Surface temperature in tree shade here was 13°C cooler
than in sun – large mature tree canopies provide more shade
Surface Runoff
56% more rain
results in 82% more
runoff
For a precipitation event occurring on average one day
per winter, with normal antecedent moisture conditions
Infiltration Capacity
A case for
‘Conservation
Areas’?
Summary of Research Findings
• Greenspace moderates temperatures
through evaporative cooling & shading
– Mature trees critical for shading
• Most effective in regulating surface
runoff on high infiltration soils
• Increase rainwater storage
• Opportunity to use for irrigation in
times of drought
The role of spatial planning
• GI planning has an
important role to
play in climate
change (especially
adaptation)
• Functional
importance of GI
must be reflected
in planning policy
www.merseyforest.org.uk
GI functions for climate change…
Mitigation
Adaptation
Biofuels production
Timber production
Food production
Carbon storage
Recreation
Green travel routes
Shading from sun
Evaporative cooling
Shading from sun
Evaporative cooling
Water storage
Water interception
Water infiltration
Soil stabilisation
Storm protection
Habitat for wildlife
Corridor for wildlife
Recreation
All levels of spatial planning
• National – PPS
– PPS1 supplement
– Climate Change Adaptation by Design (TCPA,
2007)
– Adapting to Climate Change – a checklist for
development (GLA, 2005)
– Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing
the Biodiversity Duty (Defra, 2007)
• Regional – RSS
• Local – LDF
• Also important – Sub-Regional & nonplanning documents
www.merseyforest.org.uk
LDF
• GI Plan within LDF
• Climate change mitigation and
adaptation functions a crucial part
of this
• Developer contributions towards
delivering GI Plan
www.merseyforest.org.uk
GI Plan
• What is there and what functions is it providing?
• Protect - Where it is critical environmental
capital
– Urban centres, flood plains, private
gardens on high infiltration soils
• Create - Where there is a need / functionality is
lacking
– High density residential and built up
areas, low green space cover with
human vulnerability
• Enhance - Where management changes could
improve functionality
– Water storage capacity, wildlife
corridors, SuDS
• Maintain - So that it continues to provide that
function
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Example policies…
• Sheffield City Council proposed green roof
policy
– Required on all medium and larger developments (more
than 15 dwellings / over 1000 m2 gross internal floor
space)
– Encouraged on all other developments
– Must be compatible with other design and conservation
considerations
– Must cover at least 80% of the total roof area
• Hull City Council proposing development
control & policies to reduce flooding impact &
flood-proof new development
– Remove permitted development rights to control loss of
private gardens
– Lower development densities and higher green space &
public open space requirements
– Flood proofing built into any new development
www.merseyforest.org.uk
Conclusion
• Our climate is changing
• Need to mitigate and adapt
– Mitigation role of GI limited but important
– Adaptation role of GI substantial
• Spatial planning has an important role to
play in climate change adaptation
– Planning policy must reflect the functional
importance of GI at all levels
• Need to know what we have and how it
functions in order to protect, create,
enhance, and maintain
www.merseyforest.org.uk