Green spaces are vital components of urban and rural environments, offering a myriad of benefits from improving mental and physical health to fostering biodiversity. However, the true potential of these spaces is often unlocked when communities are actively involved in their creation, development, and maintenance. Involving communities in green spaces not only enhances the quality and relevance of these areas but also strengthens social bonds, empowers local populations, and ensures the sustainability of environmental initiatives.
This was the second workshop delivered in the final part of the City of Nature Alliance Pilot Project funded through the Commonwealth Games Legacy funding. The first was the Finance Workshop – https://naturallybirmingham.org/city-of-nature-alliance-finance-workshop-resources/ and the third was the Communication Workshop – https://naturallybirmingham.org/city-of-nature-alliance-communicating-workshop/
The Communication workshop was hosted by the Birmingham Ranger Service at their Lickey Hills Hub site.
12 people attended the workshop which lasted for four hours.
The Benefits of Community Involvement in Green Spaces
- Enhanced Relevance and Usability: When community members are involved in the planning and design of green spaces, the end result is often more attuned to their needs and desires. Local residents, being the primary users of these spaces, are best positioned to provide insights into what features would be most beneficial—whether it’s playgrounds, community gardens, walking paths, or sports facilities. By listening to and incorporating their ideas, planners can create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and welcoming.
- Fostering a Sense of Ownership: Community involvement cultivates a sense of ownership among local residents. When people contribute to the development of a green space, they are more likely to take pride in it and feel a responsibility towards its upkeep. This sense of ownership can lead to reduced vandalism, more vigilant care, and greater use of the space, ensuring that it remains vibrant and well-maintained over time.
- Social Cohesion and Empowerment: Green spaces serve as communal areas where people from diverse backgrounds can come together. Involving the community in the creation of these spaces encourages collaboration and dialogue among residents, fostering social cohesion. Moreover, the process of participation empowers individuals, giving them a voice in decisions that affect their local environment and enhancing their sense of agency within the community.
- Promoting Environmental Stewardship: Active participation in green space projects can also raise awareness about environmental issues and promote a culture of sustainability. When communities are involved in the planting of trees, the creation of gardens, or the restoration of natural habitats, they gain a deeper understanding of ecological processes and the importance of preserving green areas. This knowledge can translate into more sustainable practices at home and in the broader community.
- Economic and Health Benefits: Well-designed green spaces can boost local economies by attracting visitors and increasing property values. Communities involved in the planning process are more likely to advocate for spaces that cater to a wide range of activities, increasing foot traffic and, consequently, the economic vitality of the area. Furthermore, access to green spaces has been shown to improve mental and physical health by providing opportunities for exercise, relaxation, and social interaction, ultimately reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life.
Strategies for Effective Community Involvement
To truly benefit from community involvement, it is essential to implement strategies that ensure broad and inclusive participation:
- Inclusive Planning Processes: Organizing workshops, public meetings, and surveys can help gather input from a diverse cross-section of the community. It’s important to reach out to underrepresented groups, including low-income residents, seniors, and youth, to ensure that their voices are heard.
- Partnerships with Local Organizations: Collaborating with local schools, non-profits, and community groups can help bridge gaps between planners and residents. These organizations often have established trust within the community and can facilitate more effective communication and participation.
- Ongoing Engagement and Feedback: Community involvement shouldn’t end once a green space is created. Establishing committees or “friends of the park” groups can help maintain ongoing engagement, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation of the space to meet changing community needs.
- Educational Programs: Offering workshops on topics like gardening, composting, and wildlife conservation can engage the community in the care and stewardship of green spaces. Education can empower residents with the knowledge and skills needed to actively participate in the maintenance and enhancement of these areas.
- Transparent Decision-Making: Ensuring transparency in the decision-making process builds trust and encourages more active participation. Keeping the community informed about how their input is being used, and explaining the rationale behind decisions, helps to sustain involvement and enthusiasm for the project.
Conclusion
The creation and maintenance of green spaces are essential for the well-being of communities and the environment. However, the most successful and sustainable green spaces are those that reflect the needs, desires, and values of the communities they serve. By involving local residents in every stage of the process—from planning to maintenance—planners can create green spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also cherished and cared for by the communities that use them. This collaborative approach leads to stronger communities, healthier environments, and greener futures for all.
Birmingham City Council’s City of Nature plan has three overarching ambitions to create a city that involves citizens in its green infrastructure and natural environments.
- Our most passionate advocates of nature will become Green Champions – recognising the importance of their work looking after our blue and green spaces.
- Our children learn about the wonders of nature as Little and Young Green Champions.
- Citizens will be encouraged to bring their local green spaces to life using nature focused activities.
The plan will involve the whole council and its core third sector partners working together to deliver outcomes though the formation of a City of Nature Community Alliance; whilst reaching out to the citizens of Birmingham to facilitate significantly more involvement at every stage.
The first presentation in the workshop included:
•The City of Nature Plan Overview – How Healthy City and Fair City actions are connected to Involved Park actions.
•What is the City of Nature Alliance
•What do we mean by a civic voice
•What do we mean by an engagement mechanism.
Other presentations to followed:
•Earth Stories and Green Champions. The stories gathered through the Earth Stories project are now available on a separate website for the project: Earth Stories the report for the Earth Stories Project is available here: https://naturallybirmingham.org/earth-stories/ The slide that put Earth Stories and the Green Champion Programme are below:
•Young Green Champions – Developed in the Future Parks Accelerator Project by Sam Hall from the Birmingham Children’s Trust.
Ecobirmingham couldn’t attend this workshop but Anne Dasgupta sent a video update of their Stories For Nature Project for pre schoolers.
Laura Wilson from Learning Journey provided an insight into the work that she had been doing in schools both leading sessions in Bordesley Green Girls school and delivering sessions in partnership with the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust. This section will be updated soon with the full report from Laura.
•Friends of Parks Groups Volunteers – Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (BOSF). Sarah Royal gave an overview of the work Birmingham Open Spaces Forum does promoting the involvement of residents in green spaces. Below is a short film that helps bring this work to life.
•Community Growing Volunteers – Helen Harvey is a Volunteer Co-ordinator with BOSF and has helped to connect the Bordesley and Highgate Ward community with the Stanhope Wellbeing Hub’s communal garden.
BCC Parks Volunteer Guidance. There are lots of different voluntary groups who help to maintain and improve Birmingham City Councils green infrastructure. BCC wants there to be an agreed standard of volunteering across all organisations which work on BCC green spaces that would include a programme of training and support from across the Alliance, BCC departments and other orgainsations.
More information will be added to this page over the next month as reports and documents are gathered.
Naturally Birmingham Future Parks Project 