Benefits of greenspace

The integration of high quality green infrastructure into the urban environment can provide a number of key benefits. These include:

Climate change adaptation/mitigation
Health, well-being and social cohesion
Economic growth and investment
Wildlife and habitats
Stronger communities.

These benefits can be achieved most successfully when planning and management take place to ensure green space is supplied in the right place at the right time.

A summary report that covers the benefits of green infrastructure has been written by Forest Research (2010), alongside a main report to Defra providing technical information:

Benefits of green infrastructure – summary report ^(PDF-2362K)

Benefits of green infrastructure – main report ^(PDF-1211K)

Greenspace is multifunctional – it provides social, economic and environmental benefits. It supports many of the components of ‘ecosystem services’ as defined by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Ecosystem services include:

Supporting services – habitat provision, nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production
Provisioning services – fresh water, wood
Regulating services – climate, flood, disease
Cultural services – aesthetic, educational, recreational.

These are intrinsic to biodiversity, and provide for people’s well-being – security, basic materials for good life, health, and good social relations. As most of our communities exist within the urban environment, the provision of greenspace is essential for the well-being of society.

Environmental benefits

Ecological benefits

Habitats

Species

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Environmental benefits

Social and economic benefits

Ecological benefits

Habitats

Species