green surrounding introduction
Answers
Explanation:
We are all committed to the principles
of sustainable development: the kind of
development that meets the needs of the
present, without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
So it is not surprising that almost all urban
development programmes set down ideas and
ideals to develop European cities in a more
sustainable way, especially concerning the
environment and the social dimension. These
programmes result from a process of searching
for, then offering a better quality of life. In
this context urban green spaces can bring
various benefits to European cities, which are
highlighted in Chapter 1.
Urban green spaces are key resources for
sustainable cities.
This recognition does not, however, mean
that green space development enjoys a high
position in the political agenda. To secure
such development in the era of sustainable
development still requires dedicated hard work
and, especially, personal engagement. Most
cities have some form of planning instrument
to influence the green space quality. In many
cases, however, suitable overall concepts
and strategies are missing, which combine
the development and management of urban
green spaces with general policies for urban
development. This calls for Urban Green Space
Strategies which set out a collective vision for
improving green spaces.
URBAN GREEN
In GreenKeys Urban Green is defined as
the sum of all public open spaces in urban
areas which are predominantly characterised
by vegetation and which combine to make
up the urban green fabric. An urban green
space is
• directly used for active or passive
recreation; or
• indirectly used by virtue of its positive
influence on the urban environment,
serving the diverse needs of citizens and thus
offering a good quality of life in cities.
Urban green is a system that consists of all
kinds of public green spaces including parks,
gardens, squares, cemeteries and allotments
as well as woodlands and areas for nature
and landscape conservation set within the
wider urban fabric.
URBAN GREEN SPACE STRATEGY
An Urban Green Space Strategy is a strategic
document with a long-term perspective that
should fall within the compass of a city’s
development policies and integrate well with
other policies. It deals with all urban green
spaces, regardless of type or ownership.
To be most effective and for the greatest
efficiency the strategy should be integrated
into the planning system of the city.
An Urban Green Space Strategy confronts
the present situation of green spaces
(with all problems, conflicts, potentials and
needs) and the future collective vision and
goals. It covers all aspects and subjects
dealing with green spaces management and
development. As a result it provides basic
and enduring development proposals, tasks
and actions for implementation that are
needed to assure the realisation of set visions
and goals.
In GreenKeys we adopt the following
understanding about urban green space
strategy, which is based on CABE Space
(2004): Urban Green Space Strategy sets out
a collective vision for improved green spaces,
which meet community needs and provides a
reference point for allocating resources and
plans of action.
Fig. 1.1: Playground in Park, Kotel
(Municipality of Dresden 2006)
Fig. 1.2: Sculptures in an historic garden, Dresden