GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE – A WIN-WIN SOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE WEST MIDLANDS BILL HESLEGRAVE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FORESTRY COMMISSION

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits What is Green Infrastructure (GI)? The network of green spaces and natural elements that intersperse and connect our cities, towns and villages. It is the open spaces, waterways, gardens, woodlands, green corridors, wildlife habitats, street trees, natural heritage and open countryside. From the Green Infrastructure Prospectus for the West Midlands : Regional Assembly 2006

What is Green Infrastructure (GI)?

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits The benefits of GI extend beyond the environment to social and economic – and link these three pillars of society together GI is a multi-functional resource, underpinning sustainability and directly benefiting the economy and enhancing quality of life

The benefits of GI extend beyond the environment to social and economic – and link these three pillars of society together

GI is a multi-functional resource, underpinning sustainability and directly benefiting the economy and enhancing quality of life

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits ‘ Economic success dependent on investment in the natural environment’ A press release headline on 15 th October for ‘No Charge? Valuing the Natural Environment’ – a major report by Natural England

‘ Economic success dependent on investment in the natural environment’

A press release headline on 15 th October for ‘No Charge? Valuing the Natural Environment’ – a major report by Natural England

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits What are the economic benefits from GI? Enhancing quality of place – increasing property and land values A green setting for investment and economic growth Environmental transformation Provides jobs through the environmental economy Opportunities for education and training Provision of natural resources such as wood

What are the economic benefits from GI?

Enhancing quality of place – increasing property and land values

A green setting for investment and economic growth

Environmental transformation

Provides jobs through the environmental economy

Opportunities for education and training

Provision of natural resources such as wood

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits Leading to :- Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change Improvements in health and well being Helping to build sustainable communities Enabling essential contact between people and nature Sustaining environmental tourism Sources of renewable heat and energy

Leading to :-

Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change

Improvements in health and well being

Helping to build sustainable communities

Enabling essential contact between people and nature

Sustaining environmental tourism

Sources of renewable heat and energy

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits SANDWELL - Sheepwash

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits Sandwell Valley

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits WALSALL

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits FOREST OF MERCIA - Hednesford

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits STOKE - Westport

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits STOKE - Central Forest Park

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits STOKE - Park Hall

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits Tree Planting in Stoke

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits To achieve these benefits we must pursue key objectives : Raise awareness of GI’s economic benefits and the linkages to social and environmental benefits Incorporate GI consistently at the heart of the planning system Embed GI as an integral part of growth and development Increase investment in GI and develop long term funding arrangements

To achieve these benefits we must pursue key objectives :

Raise awareness of GI’s economic benefits and the linkages to social and environmental benefits

Incorporate GI consistently at the heart of the planning system

Embed GI as an integral part of growth and development

Increase investment in GI and develop long term funding arrangements

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits And seek to implement Key Actions : Co-ordinate GI work of environmental organisations and to further leadership Develop a Framework Plan and associated Action Plan for GI in the region Key organisations involved in or linked to the economy must embrace GI Evidence building, research and demonstration/promotion of best practice

And seek to implement Key Actions :

Co-ordinate GI work of environmental organisations and to further leadership

Develop a Framework Plan and associated Action Plan for GI in the region

Key organisations involved in or linked to the economy must embrace GI

Evidence building, research and demonstration/promotion of best practice

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits Develop GI strategies for growth points and major development areas GI must be factored into decisions on land values, urban structures, housing densities, etc Improve connections and accessibility of GI with local communities Demonstrate the importance and value of extensive, well planned urban tree networks

Develop GI strategies for growth points and major development areas

GI must be factored into decisions on land values, urban structures, housing densities, etc

Improve connections and accessibility of GI with local communities

Demonstrate the importance and value of extensive, well planned urban tree networks

GI - Sustainable, Economic Benefits Questions for this Workshop : 1. Do you agree that GI can provide economic benefits and is relevant to economic recovery? If not, why not? 2. If you do, do you wish to add to or amend those benefits set out in the chapter and this presentation? 3. Are the actions listed the right ones? Are they achievable? Are there other priority actions?

Questions for this Workshop :

1. Do you agree that GI can provide economic benefits and is relevant to economic recovery? If not, why not?

2. If you do, do you wish to add to or amend those benefits set out in the chapter and this presentation?

3. Are the actions listed the right ones? Are they achievable? Are there other priority actions?