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payback from investment in landscape

ian phillips mrtpi, cmli

5th European Landscape conference, 2011

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landscape and ecosystem services

• cleaner air• flood risk management• urban cooling• renewable energy sources• water management• improved public health• biodiversity support• better places

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i-trees – adding value to cities• Developed in USA by Forest

Service to evaluate economic contributions of urban trees

• New York City – every $1 spent on trees returns $5.6

• Chicago – 3.5 million trees – annual functional value of $7.2 million

• Torbay, UK – pilot project indicates significant benefits in reducing air pollution and for long-lived, large canopy trees

• Key message – managing the urban forest

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parks - adding value to property

• Source: Does Money grow on Trees – CABE, 2005

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landscape and regional regeneration

• The Eden Project, Cornwall• Redundant quarries redeveloped

– visitor attraction– Landscape and horticulture showcase– environmental and social education

programmes – Local, regional, national and global

projects– emphasis on conservation and

sustainable development

• Since 2001– £140 million invested – 13 million visits– £1 billion into local economy

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green infrastructure – promoting the tourist economy for SE Dorset

• gi project initiated as countryside and biodiversity conservation project

• Backed by local councils and businesses to promote and support tourism and green knowledge economy

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landscape value through the London Olympic Park• 2.5 sq. km of contaminated

land• Parkland setting for the

Olympic games and accommodation

• Future Legacy:– new London park and

biodiversity resource– 2,800 new homes and an

academy for 1800 students

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landscape and housing

• Elvetham Heath, Fleet – a landscape-led masterplan to create sustainable development

• 2000 houses, nature reserve, sustainable drainage, integrated open space, landscape character

• Commercial success, high resident satisfaction, community development, awards

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opportunities and challenges

• Challenges– Landscape as functional

rather than cosmetic– Initial investment vs.

whole life benefits– Valuing intangible

benefits – Engaging “non-green”

stakeholders– Bridging political and

professional boundaries– UK – loss of regional

planning

• Opportunities– Policy

• EU European Landscape Convention

• EU green infrastructure strategy

• Strategic and local planning

– Delivery• New development• Urban regeneration• Open space and land

management

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References: http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/policy/ http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org/