Birmingham
Naturally Birmingham
Naturally Birmingham is testing new approaches to caring for the city's green spaces. Led by a consultant in Public Health from Birmingham City Council, the project is working with a range of partners that hold the community’s views and values at its heart.
About the project
The benefits green spaces provide is called Natural Capital. For Birmingham, it’s been estimated that there is approximately £11 billion worth of value in its green spaces over a 25-year period. A huge £4 billion of this is linked to people’s wellbeing .
Work is focused on four pilot themes in selected green spaces in the city. The following parks were paired with the themes based on socio-economic factors,
geographical spread and local context.
Health and wellbeing – Perry Common, Perry Common Recreation Ground, Stockland Green and Witton Lakes
Housing
Children – Bournville, Cotteridge Park, Brandwood and Kings Heath.
Employment and skills – Ward End Park.
The project aims to
Increase positive perception of and attitude towards green spaces in the community, within Birmingham City Council departments and across the senior leadership team.
Promote skills and professional careers in green spaces and linked sectors, making sure they are locally accessible. Develop a clear approach to how housing can prioritise green spaces as part of future housing developments.
Make green spaces a big part of children’s education and wider support for children in care.
Make sure green spaces are a key offering for communities and deliver clear health and wellbeing benefits to all, for free.
Identify alternative funding sources to sustain parks.
Develop a 25-year green spaces strategy.
“We will make sure green spaces are a key offering for communities and deliver clear health and wellbeing benefits to all, for free.”
Canon Hill Park Bridge
Canon Hill Park Lake
Yellow rose landscape.
Future Parks Accelerator Blogs
