Creating green spaces in new development

A well-designed park or green space can be the making of a new development.

At the neighbourhood level, new urban developments need to take opportunities to introduce functional green infrastructure into their design and should seek no net loss of green cover. In many instances they may even be able to compensate for the lack of green infrastructure in an area.

There are opportunities to create significant new green spaces, enhance surrounding ones, include creative greening approaches within the design and to maximise the multi-functionality of the green infrastructure. These can support wider needs in the neighbourhood beyond recreational benefits – such as water management, managing the urban heat island, and providing opportunities for local food production.

The Town and Country Planning Association has produced an eco towns green infrastructure worksheet which provides clear guidance on how to design, incorporate and operate green infrastructure into developments.

The green space requirements and principles of multi-functional green infrastructure should form a central part of Area Action Plans and local neighbourhood frameworks.

At a site level, the design and management of green spaces needs to reflect their role as part of the wider green infrastructure, particularly in relation to climate functionality. To ensure that potential benefits of the green spaces are maximised consideration must be given at the design stage to the functions of green spaces and how the space will be managed. CABE Space's Start with the Park provides a helpful guide to considerations for green space design and management at the site level.

Photo by Werner Hutchmacher

Bo01, the city of tomorrow

In Malmö, Sweden, the Bo01 housing development in the former harbour area incorporates high density housing within a functional landscape.

Priority: integrate green infrastructure into urban areas
Tags: green infrastructure, public space, neighbourhoods