Thread by @BDavisBriz

Looking forward to an interesting @granthamcsf/@FestOfDebate on the pros and cons of giving over much-coveted urban land to green & blue spaces #FestOfDebate23

First @ThomasSiddall1 & @BethanyLeake introduce the panellists. Leake highlights the timeliness of the debate and the fact the panellists will be approaching from different disciplines (health, economics, urban planning) #FestOfDebate23

First speaker @cambtweetlandec's Vassillis Gkoumas opens on improving access to nature, and how urban green spaces can be used to compliment existing natural protected areas #FestOfDebate23

Gkoumas highlights how, while we all agree that nature is beneficial for humans, there is "currently not enough green space to go around", so opening up urban green spaces is "vital" to fully realise the benefits #FestOfDebate23

Gkoumas contrasts his childhood in #Athens🇬🇷 which is "surrounded by mountains & sea" but contains little green spaces in the urban areas, compared to his adulthood in #London🇬🇧, which contains numerous city parks & green spaces #FestOfDebate23

Turning to access to nature, Gkoumas notes that many children, particularly children in disadvantaged areas, do not have access to nature, with only 12% of children visiting natural sites every year - in urban centres, there is also a divide by income #FestOfDebate

This, Gkoumas argues, has skewed our relationship with nature - with many urbanites viewing protected areas as "tourist destinations", rather than spaces to be cherished #FestOfDebate23

Gkoumas argues this can lead to the degradation of the space due to fluctuating visitor numbers, as well as creating resentments amongst locals. He states that he believes could be alleviated by the rollout of more urban green spaces #FestOfDebate23

Next speaker Dr @MiriamDobson discusses greenspace in healtchare settings. She gives a potted history of the project, as well as schemes such as the NHS Forest #FestOfDebate23

Dobson discusses how she helps hospitals develop plans for their green spaces, improve accessibility of wider communities & lower estates' carbon footprints #FestOfDebate23

In clinical settings, Dobson describes how green spaces can be used for both physical and mental health - describes how she works with occupational therapists to provide guidance on these therapies #FestOfDebate23

Dobson also explains how greenspaces are used to improve staff wellbeing. With burnout of NHS staff gaining particular attention during the #Coronavirus pandemic, it is important to ensure NHS staff have access to green space at work #FestOfDebate23

Finally, food growing is also a focus of many sites. Dobson describes how it can be used in a therapeutic setting - particularly for mental health & skill building. Furthermore, hospital catering services & VCSE groups also benefit from healthy & nutritious food #FestOfDebate23

In conclusion, as well as improving biodiversity & carbon reduction, Dobson repeats that there are physical and mental benefits for staff & patients, with the latter also seeing a reduction in need for pharmaceuticals #FestOfDebate23

Final speaker @DrNicolaDempsey talks about her @placekeeping research and the need for a longer-term view for the rollout of urban green spaces #FestOfDebate23

Dempsey notes that, for as long as humanity has had urban spaces, we have needed urban green spaces - whether that is hunting grounds, commons for agriculture & leisure, places to grow & gather firewood, or the creation of Victorian public parks #FestOfDebate23

Dempsey also notes that there is "more literature than ever" on the benefits of urban spaces - whether it is improving physical & mental human health, improve biodiversity, increase housing prices, and even lead to urban cooling & greater flood resilience #FestOfDebate23

While the nature of our dependency on green spaces has changed over the years, Dempsey says that we still need to roll out urban green spaces if we are to adequately house all of our citizens who now wish to live in urban environments #FestOfDebate23

Dempsey says we need to stop thinking about housing as "stopping at the front door", but instead take a neighbourhood-wide approach, which will include green spaces as well as housing & other amenities #FestOfDebate23

However, Dempsey notes that she recognises that urban green space will "always loose out" when pitched against the need for statutory services such as schools, transport & blue light infrastructure #FestOfDebate

Instead, Dempsey says we need to fully integrate urban green space into new developments, creating spaces for nature in our communities, as well as bricks & mortar #FestOfDebate23

That being said, Dempsey also argues that green spaces "can't just exist for the sake of it" - instead these need to be functional green spaces for communities #FestOfDebate

Dempsey also recognises that urban green spaces need maintaining and, if they are not seen as useful to the communities around them, then they will not be cherished and maintain #FestOfDebate23

Dempsey also criticises politicians, who will voice their support for green spaces, but will not provide the long-term funding needed to sustain "Beautiful yet functional" urban green spaces #FestOfDebate23

Dempsey also argues that some of our approaches to urban green spaces are not beneficial. For example, small green walls may be relaxing, but they "make life difficult for pollinators" or temporary green spaces like London's The Mound being "expensive mistakes" #FestOfDebate23

In conclusion, Dempsey says that urban spaces "are worth it" - however, in order for them to be truly meaningful, we need to treat them the same way we do as housing - with meaningful placement and long-term maintenance funding #FestOfDebate23

The webinar now moves on to a Q&A session #FestOfDebate23

First Q is on whether landscape designing has become a secondary consideration in urban planning. Gkoumas agrees - saying that Govt plans currently only consider biodiversity net gains, often at the cost of accessibility or beauty of design #FestOfDebate23

Dempsey agrees - saying that BNG "looked good on paper" but has been "disappointing" in reality. Says there needs to be more interaction with other climate change metrics #FestOfDebate23

Next Q is on the role of green spaces in urban cooling. Dempsy says there is not always equal access to green space - so we need to roll out more space to improve accessibility, which will in turn create cooler cities #FestOfDebate23

On regional inequalities, Dempsey says that the QUANTITY of green spaces actually does not vary across places, rather the issue is the QUALITY - with green spaces in Sheffield often not as accessible as similar schemes in the South West #FestOfDebate23

Beake closes the webinar by summarising the key points raised - noting the common themes of the needs in greater investment, and improved integration of urban green spaces across the public and private spheres #FestOfDebate23

Really interesting webinar on the role, need & potential of urban green spaces. Thanks @MiriamDobson, Vassillis Gkoumas & @DrNicolaDempsey for your insights, to @ThomasSiddall1 & @BethanyLeake for chairing & @granthamcsf/@FestOfDebate for hosting! #FestOfDebate23

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