A new report has found 63% of Northern Ireland's population are missing out on greenspace.
The research by NI Environment Link and the National Trust, also highlights how just 3.5% of publicly accessible green space is found within the development limit of our towns and cities.
Local people from the voluntary, health, business and statutory sectors, universities, along with green space users have joined together to create a plan with the vision of seeing urban green spaces as key community assets, connecting people, enhancing nature, and helping towns and cities adapt to climate change.
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The collaboration hopes to pave the way for urban green spaces to play a key role in addressing the health, nature and climate crises.
This pioneering year-long co-design project led by NI Environment Link and the National Trust, was supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A series of workshops, park user surveys, a public online survey, community and school engagement sessions, and one-to-one meetings with organisations were carried out as part of the work.
It found:
- 63% of the population live in urban areas yet only 3.5% of publicly accessible green space is found within the development limit of our towns and cities
- Distribution of green space is not equal as residents of Antrim town enjoy 21% of land being publicly accessible green space, while urban areas like Cookstown have only 1% of their urban area available as green space
- Physical and mental health benefits of access to urban greenspace in Northern Ireland estimated to total of over £1bn every year – made up of a mental wellbeing value of £717m per annum and a physical wellbeing value of £381m per annum – these are savings to the NHS by preventing people from needing to access services or helping them to recover more quickly
Research also indicates urban green spaces provide support for important social interactions, carbon capture, flood alleviation, improved air quality, increase in local property value, increase in local business footfall and tourism.
Dr Lizzy Pinkerton from NI Environment Link helped co-ordinate the work and said: "With so many proven benefits of our urban green spaces it begs the question of why we are not focusing more time and funding into making these higher quality places that locals and tourists alike will want to visit. This study aims to challenge our current way of looking after these important assets and create a joined-up approach to their creation, management and use.
"We want this work to be a catalyst for change and set NI on a course to be an international example of leadership in great urban green spaces. We’re encouraging everyone to speak out and give their time, expertise and support to achieve the vision for change."
The co-produced route map sets out key areas for action including community & wellbeing, access and inclusivity, and climate & biodiversity.
Participants from across sectors want to increase the benefits local people get from green spaces in our towns and cities. In some places this will mean more green spaces, or linking existing parks, for others it will be about increasing the tree cover, more wildflower meadows or helping areas to be more flood resilient.
For others it will be about increasing health benefits by making spaces more accessible to a wider range of the local community and attracting people to use green space through events, activities and arts.
Victoria Magreehan from the National Trust and policy lead on the project said: "Over the last year we’ve been hearing from a wide range of people about how valued urban green spaces are and ambitions to work in a more joined up way to achieve more. It’s been amazing to hear people’s passion for these places and to see people sharing all of the great work that is already taking place across Northern Ireland.
"We’ve been hearing clear calls for closer collaboration, starting with building local capacity and skills so that we can maximise the role green spaces play in connecting people, providing space for nature, and helping towns and cities adapting to climate pressures. We’re looking forward to working with leaders from Local Authorities, Voluntary Groups, Health Sector, Private Sector, Investors and Academics to turn the long-term vision into reality – helping maximise the role of green spaces for local people and local nature into the future."
Angela Lavin, Senior Investment Manager at The National Lottery Heritage Fund added: "Our Future Parks Accelerator programme, which was made possible thanks to National Lottery players has demonstrated what a vital public resource green spaces are and how they positively contribute to environmental quality, health and wellbeing.
"This collaboration between the National Trust and Northern Ireland Environment link has invested time, resource and imagination to consider the future of our urban green spaces which are key to helping communities tackle the pressing challenges around health, climate and nature."
Click here to see the full report.
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