Making the most of communities' natural assets: green infrastructure
An information note for Community Planning Partnerships on applying an ecosystems approach.
Finding out more
Advice and Guidance
Applying an ecosystems approach to land use Information Note. Scottish Government 2011. Provides general background on applying an ecosystems approach to land use.
Green Infrastructure: Design and Place-making. Scottish Government 2011
Builds on Designing Places and Designing Streets to give practical tips on incorporating green infrastructure in masterplans.
National Standards for Community Engagement, Scottish Community Development Centre Sets out best practice guidance for engagement between communities and public agencies.
Environmental Indicators Framework. Improvement Services.
Published to support measures in the Menu of Local Outcome Indicators. The Framework is still in development.
The Prince's Foundation's Enquiry by Design
Planning tool which brings together stakeholders to collaborate on a vision for a new or revived community.
Resilient Places - character and community in everyday heritage. Demos 2010.
Green Networks in Development Planning
Guidance explaining the background to green networks, their multi-functionality and providing development planning advice in respect of green networks. Scottish Natural Heritage, March 2012.
Health Impact Assessment of Greenspace: A Guide 2008
A valuable tool in enabling practitioners and partnerships to develop an understanding of the potential health impacts of greenspace projects, including policies and plans, and to increase the emphasis on health greenspace in proposals. Includes a review of relevant literature. Published in 2008 by Greenspace Scotland in partnership with NHS Health Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Institute of Occupational Medicine.
A programme of research on the contribution of green and open space in public health and well-being, funded by Scottish Government and led by James Hutton Institute. Outputs will include guidelines on measures to target the provision of green and open spaces to support public health and well-being in rural and urban areas and an indicator of health and well-being with respect to environmental characteristics.
Green Infrastructure Valuation Toolkit
A valuation framework for assessing the potential economic and wider returns from investment in green infrastructure and environmental improvements. A prototype developed under the Green Infrastructure North West partnership is available for use: Policy Futures series no 1- Living landscapes towards ecosystem-based conservation in Scotland Ecosystem-scale conservation - Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Talking about our place - Scottish Natural Heritage
This is community dialogue toolkit provides guidance, resources and ideas to help communities to think about and discuss their landscape, the issues their place is facing and how they can get involved. It is based on the Climate Conversations project which used information on effects of climate change on landscapes and quality of life to help communities in the Machars and Nairnshire discuss the implications of climate change for their place and the path they wanted their communities to follow.
Examples
Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership
An ecosystems approach to surface water management schemes.
Lothians and Fife Green Network Partnership
Showcases best practice for green network development.
Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership
Central Scotland Green Network
A National Development in the second National Planning Framework. Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland are working with 19 local authorities and other partners to establish the network. The initiative will include:
- A significant increase in woodland expansion to further 'green up' the area, boost recreation opportunities and contribute to climate change reduction;
- restoring vacant and derelict land with the aim of regenerating and restoring it to attractive landscapes for a range of uses, including new business;
- improved networks for cycling and walking, encouraging more 'active travel' to work and school which will also reduce carbon footprints; and
- building a strategic network of priority habitats which will improve biodiversity and, protect many species.
Cairngorms National Park Authority - draft Plan and Strategic Environmental Assessment
Integrated Habitats Design Competition Winners 2011
Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative
Provides an overview of 11 SSCI exemplar projects and the approaches taken by their project teams, describing their achievements and also the challenges faced over the two years 2009-2011.
Simple Pleasures Easily Found. Scottish Natural Heritage
Encouraging more people to get outdoors, targeted to places where current participation is lower than the national average.
Report for Scottish Environment LINK by CAG Consultants. February 2011. Contains examples of cross-outcome working.
Wales
A range of case studies which demonstrate an ecosystems approach in Wales.
England
Looked at methods for valuing ecosystems services and identifying implications for a range of policy areas within five regional or local case study areas including: Marston Vale, Blackwater Estuary, Cambridgeshire Fens, Great Yarmouth and Greater Norwich.
Subject of a recent study which concluded that the green infrastructure concept has been successful in integrating greenspace policy with economic development policies in North-west England, by emphasising the links between the economic benefits of green spaces and growth policies.
Programme website includes examples of the contribution of green infrastructure to economic regeneration: http://www.naturaleconomynorthwest.co.uk/green+infrastructure.php
Images
Images supplied by Scottish Natural Heritage except images of Figgate Park Meadow, Living Landscapes provided by Karen Reeves, Edinburgh City Council and Shrubhill Works, Michael Bryan, Reset Development.
Contact
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback