Investing in a Green Infrastructure for a Future City

Dear Colleagues & Friends

Natural Capital: Investing in a Green Infrastructure for a Future City

The London Infrastructure Plan 2050 sets out London’s future infrastructure needs. As well as chapters on transport, energy, water and waste it highlights how green infrastructure is as integral to the city as other infrastructure such as rail, roads, pipes and cables.

Planned, designed and managed as an integrated green infrastructure, London’s existing green spaces and features such as green roofs, street trees and rain gardens, can provide benefits including: healthy living, more space for walking and cycling, flood mitigation, improved air and water quality, enhanced biodiversity and a cooler urban environment. 

The Mayor established a Green Infrastructure Task Force that brought together a wide range of interests and expertise to identify how to encourage a more strategic and long-term approach to investment in and delivery of green infrastructure.

The Task Force report – Natural Capital: Investing in a Green Infrastructure for a Future City (attached or follow link)

www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/environment-publications/green-infrastructure-task-force-report

 identifies why this approach is increasingly necessary, and the changes to policy, governance, valuation and funding that are needed to ensure long-term investment in London’s green infrastructure. It includes recommendations on the strategic issues that need to be addressed in relation to the planning, governance and funding of London’s green infrastructure.

Members of the Task Force said:

“To meet the challenge of a growing population, future investment in more traditional infrastructure projects, public health programmes, and regeneration areas needs to include more green infrastructure-based solutions, so that London continues to be recognised as one of the greenest and most liveable big cities in the world. This report sets out a route map to how this can be achieved”

Matthew Pencharz, Deputy Mayor for Environment & Energy, and Chair of the Task Force

“London boroughs are currently responsible for managing much of London’s green infrastructure and making the land-use planning decisions that affect its future. The report is timely as it provides a compelling case for the value and importance of green infrastructure and suggests new ways by which decisions could be made on how it is managed and funded in the future.”

Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Council’s Transport & Environment Committee

“This report is ground-breaking because it recognises that London’s green infrastructure is just as important as other essential infrastructure - it helps to reduce flood risk, water pollution, air pollution and urban heat. As London continues to grow, making the most of its green infrastructure will be essential to ensure it is a healthy environment for people to live and work in.”

Simon Moody, London Manager for the Environment Agency

“We know that some of London’s biggest health challenges – obesity, poor air quality and mental health – can be ameliorated by a well-planned and managed green infrastructure. Accessibility and connectivity matter if we want to encourage more walking and cycling to improve health, and its ability to soften the most unforgiving parts of the urban environment can have a profound effect on mental wellbeing. The Task Force report encourages more joined up working between public health, transport, urban design and green space professionals to ensure that green infrastructure deliver its potential to provide better health for Londoners.”

Yvonne Doyle, London Regional Director of Public Health England

Key issues in the report relating to the valuation of green infrastructure are reinforced by evidence provided in Valuing London’s Urban Forest and the Beam Parklands natural capital account.

For further information about the report please contact:

Peter Massini peter.massini@london.gov.uk  020 7983 4592

Katrina Ramsey Katrina.ramsey@london.gov.uk  020 7983 4039

Kind regards

Tony Leach
Chief Executive, London Parks & Green Spaces
020 7983 4495 | 07941 069351 | tony.leach@lpgsf.org.uk  

http://www.lpgsf.org.uk/