This document summarizes a presentation given at the 5th European Landscape conference in 2011. It discusses the economic and social benefits provided by landscapes, known as ecosystem services, such as improved air and water quality, flood prevention, and increased property values. It provides examples from the US, UK, and Europe where investing in urban trees and parks has returned economic values many times the initial investment. The document also presents case studies on how landscape-led development helped regenerate regions and promote tourism, including projects in Cornwall and London. It concludes by discussing opportunities and challenges for further recognizing landscape values.

1. 5th European Landscape conference, 2011
payback from investment
in landscape
ian phillips mrtpi, cmli
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2. landscape and ecosystem services
• cleaner air
• flood risk management
• urban cooling
• renewable energy sources
• water management
• improved public health
• biodiversity support
• better places
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3. i-trees – adding value to cities
• Developed in USA by Forest
Service to evaluate economic
contributions of urban trees
• New York City – every $1 spent
on trees returns $5.6
• Chicago – 3.5 million trees –
annual functional value of $7.2
million
• Torbay, UK – pilot project
indicates significant benefits in
reducing air pollution and for
long-lived, large canopy trees
• Key message – managing the
urban forest
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4. parks - adding value to property
• Source: Does Money grow on Trees – CABE, 2005
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5. landscape and regional regeneration
• The Eden Project, Cornwall
• Redundant quarries redeveloped
– visitor attraction
– Landscape and horticulture showcase
– environmental and social education
programmes
– Local, regional, national and global
projects
– emphasis on conservation and
sustainable development
• Since 2001
– £140 million invested
– 13 million visits
– £1 billion into local economy
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6. green infrastructure – promoting the
tourist economy for SE Dorset
• gi project initiated as
countryside and biodiversity
conservation project
• Backed by local councils and
businesses to promote and
support tourism and green
knowledge economy
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7. landscape value through the
London Olympic Park
• 2.5 sq. km of contaminated
land
• Parkland setting for the
Olympic games and
accommodation
• Future Legacy:
– new London park and
biodiversity resource
– 2,800 new homes and an
academy for 1800 students
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8. landscape and housing
• Elvetham Heath, Fleet – a
landscape-led masterplan to
create sustainable development
• 2000 houses, nature reserve,
sustainable drainage, integrated
open space, landscape character
• Commercial success, high resident
satisfaction, community
development, awards
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9. opportunities and challenges
• Opportunities • Challenges
– Policy – Landscape as functional
• EU European Landscape rather than cosmetic
Convention – Initial investment vs.
• EU green infrastructure whole life benefits
strategy – Valuing intangible
• Strategic and local benefits
planning – Engaging “non-green”
stakeholders
– Delivery – Bridging political and
• New development professional boundaries
• Urban regeneration – UK – loss of regional
• Open space and land planning
management
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10. References:
http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/policy/
http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org/
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