The Value of Public Space

Wish your kids had somewhere fun to play near your house?
Increasing urbanisation has left our children with far fewer opportunities than previous generations to play freely outdoors and experience the natural environment. Good quality public spaces – including well-designed school grounds – can help to fill this gap, providing opportunities for fun, exercise and learning

Want to feel invited, not intimidated, in places you’ve never visited before?
Physical changes to, and the better management of public space can help to allay our fears about crime. Such changes can help everyone to make the most of public spaces

Need a breath of fresh air to clear your head sometimes?
Access to high quality green space significantly improves physical and mental health. Well designed and maintained parks encourage people to exercise. In turn, exercise reduces stress levels and, if done as part of a group, can have social benefits too

Want to up the value of your home?
A good public landscape also offers very clear benefits to the local economy in terms of stimulating increased house prices, since house-buyers are willing to pay to be near green space

Want to get to know your neighbours?
Properly designed and cared for public spaces brings communities together, providing meeting places and fostering special social ties of a kind that have been disappearing in many urban areas

Want to wake up to the birds singing?
Green space provides us with an opportunity to be close to nature. This brings with it positive impacts in terms of mental health and the simple pleasure of experiencing trees, birds, squirrels, ladybirds and other wildlife in an urban situation.

Want to get around without being cut up by traffic?
Well-designed streets and public spaces encourage walking and cycling. They have the power to make our environment safer by reducing vehicle speeds and use. Home Zones have begun to demonstrate the benefits of redesigning streets to meet the needs of residents and pedestrians, not just cars