The White Paper on the environment – The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature; Landscapes of the Future from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology; and the launch of the National Ecosystem Assessment.

I attended the Landscapes of the Future launch at the House of Commons this week, discussing not only the new ‘POST Note’ on the Future of Landscape but also the Government’s first White Paper on the environment for 20 years. This is a fantastic platform for the landscape agenda and an opportunity not to be missed.

It is clear from the White Paper that the government are taking seriously their pledge to be the ‘greenest-ever’ government and are even using language that demonstrates this.  Caroline Spelman opens by expounding on the basic human need for landscapes that we all ‘cherish’ for individual well-being as well as safe-guarding the inheritance of future generations. They are looking to ‘strengthen connections between people and nature’ – a message I have been advocating for many years. The White Paper also recognises the European Landscape Convention and Green Infrastructure.  So far so good.

There is however, an undeniable tension when understanding the relationship between the economic agenda and that of the social and environmental. The Paper sets out the case that sustainable economic growth goes hand-in-hand with meeting improvements in social and environmental sustainability. Great! I whole-heartedly believe getting the social and the environmental right is central to the economic goal.

My greatest fear, however, is that the drive behind this Paper (as well as the Localism Bill, the NPPF and the NEA) is without doubt, an economic one. So when the economic agenda directly conflicts with the environmental and social, we are left wondering how much the government will truly ‘value’ landscape, as their language at first glance may suggest. I remain skeptical.

So, whilst there is great joy to be taken from the sudden spotlight that our landscapes have received, I do not believe that landscape can simply be used as a vehicle for economic growth. We need to continue to press for changes that will benefit our landscapes first and foremost, recognising that getting this right is important to meeting the government’s long term economic goals.

http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/news/index.php/blog/view/li_policy_chair_noel_farrer_writes_this_weeks_blog/

Today marks the day every landscape architect will find themselves in one of two groups. Those who have voted and those who have not. Our last election saw a staggeringly low 13% of members bothered to pick up a pen.

This statistic, along with countless conversations with landscape architects young and old, leave me with an overwhelming sense of disillusionment and apathy across the profession. I would, however, like to argue that there has been no more crucial time for us to get excited about what we do and truly engage with those standing for candidacy. We need to take responsibility in making sure our votes count towards a bright future for us all.

We cannot deny that we have perhaps the most important and difficult times ahead. We stand in real danger of others beginning to understand more about what we do, and seeking to deliver it themselves. I believe a strong, forward-looking leadership at the Landscape Institute is crucial to ensuring that our voice is not marginalised.

The future is truly in our hands so I hope that many of you have picked up a pen to vote! We wait to see…

As many of you will know, a number of London Boroughs have recently introduced charges for activities within our public parks.  Whilst this is an understandable reaction to the ever increasing need to generate income in our parks, this is simply not the answer to the problem.

Public realm is by definition owned and shared freely by every person, no matter who they are. We all have the right to use, enjoy and express ourselves in public spaces irrespective of wealth, status or education. This is a precious and rare quality that has a premium social value that must be respected.

So at what point does it become appropriate to charge someone for the use of public space? It seems to me that when a space stops being open to unplanned possibilities, the essence of the space is essentially altered. Take for example a group of friends finding an unused space in their local park to play football once a week. This is fundamentally different to a dedicated football area within the park that has been booked for private use each week. The dedicated space is no longer available to be used freely by all, so people must pay for this restriction of the rights of others. The natures of these spaces are different and I believe this is where the distinction must be made.

For me, whether a free bench is used by a personal trainer punishing some willing victim and charging for the pleasure or by someone reading the paper, is fair game in our shared spaces. Let’s instead understand the importance of public space and be clear that any restriction to its use should be opposed for the benefit of all.

It’s been a busy month! January has been tinged with sadness, however, watching the demise of CABE Space. Not only does this signal the change to come in the years ahead, but it also represents a real blow to the voice of landscape. In my policy meeting at the Landscape Institute (LI) this week, we reflected on how this leaves the LI practically alone in promoting the importance of landscape in the UK. A daunting prospect!

As we all begin finding our feet in the Conservative’s world of localism, we need to discover new ways of reaching and educating those in positions of power, from representative community groups through to local authorities.

At this point i’ll take the opportunity to plug a great resource that supports us in this – the LI’s paper called ‘Why Invest in Landscape’. It sets out a year- long agenda and outlines a convincing argument on the real, economic benefits landscape brings to communities. Read it, get to grips with it, understand it. As we move ahead in a world without CABE Space, we need all the help we can get!

To open my blog here on our website I am reporting back from the LI London Branch Christmas party which I was proud to be asked to speak at.
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