Community green

Thousands of hectares of development land and open space around social housing estates are not being used because of their poor quality.

Photo by Haarala Hamilton.

This creates a major opportunity to tackle inequality and improve health in inner cities, says new research from CABE.

The quantity of green space, as well as the quality, varies enormously across inner cities. In areas where residents are almost entirely white, there is 11 times more green space than in areas where 40% of residents are black or minority ethnic.

Community green: using local spaces to tackle inequality and improve health has found that people view green space as a key service, alongside housing, education and policing.  Half of the 500 people interviewed reported they would do more exercise if green spaces were improved, and half expected they would have better mental health. But less than one per cent of people living in social housing said they use the green space on their estate.

The study also reveals a number of barriers to better use of public green space by black and minority ethnic people. Only half of Bangladeshi people, for example, reported feeling safe using their local green space, compared with three quarters of white people interviewed.

In response, CABE recommends there should be more scope for communities to take over temporarily vacant land, and that RSLs and local authorities responsible for green spaces should work with voluntary groups to make it easier for people to improve the green spaces on their doorsteps.

Sarah Gaventa, director of public space at CABE, points out that improving green space benefits those that have most to gain, especially people living in flats.

CABE and the National Housing Federation, with the partnership of Neighbourhoods Green, have also produced a practical action plan, Decent homes need decent spaces, to help social landlords provide more opportunities for residents to enjoy the space on their doorsteps and meet their neighbours in a safe and pleasant environment.