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Green and outdoor space to be integral to the economic success of the Thames Gateway

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT News Release (240) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 10 October 2008

Urban parks, marshlands, waterways and green spaces will be as integral as housing, jobs and commerce in the Thames Gateway of the future, Housing Minister Iain Wright announced today.

The Parklands Vision of the Gateway was launched by Sir Terry Farrell, award winning architect, urban designer and the Government's Parklands Design Champion at the Thames Gateway Green Forum.

The Vision will guide the development of green and open spaces in the Gateway and has eight elements developed by Sir Terry in partnership with a wide range of partners (including local authorities and community groups) and the Government.

Housing Minister, Iain Wright, said:

"It's important we continue to make green and open spaces a cornerstone of all regeneration in the Thames Gateway. If we are to unlock the region's full potential we need to make the most of all its unique assets including waterways, cultural centres and historic sites.

"We can invest in jobs, housing and transport but neglecting outdoor space can make the difference between the region being an economic success and failure. We need to ensure outdoor space is easily accessible to all communities in the Gateway."

The eight elements of the Parklands Vision include:

Water Parklands - To reveal lost tributaries, improve wetlands, revive under-used docks, canals, piers, promenades and waterfronts, and provide new river connections.

Community Parklands - To improve access to green and open spaces, and the Thames Estuary, and to use open spaces to connect communities together. This could include creating pedestrian and cycle links, and setting aside areas for cultural activities.

Urban Parklands - To improve and create public spaces in urban areas, such as promenades, river walkways, squares, play areas, and 'urban beaches.'

Parklands Historic Environment - To regenerate historical and cultural sites to help give a clear identity to each community in the Gateway.

A Connected Parklands Landscape - To connect open and green spaces together to create a continuous green link through East London, South Essex and North Kent, and to connect communities to each other and open spaces. This will include further development of the Thames Estuary Path, a continuous link on both banks of the estuary from the Isle of Dogs to the coastal path network.

Agriculture as Parklands - To appreciate agriculture landscapes, enhance biodiversity and provide opportunities for local food production, such as allotments, community farms, orchards and forests.

Parklands and the Eco-Region - To use Parklands to help the Gateway become the UK's first eco-region by encouraging local food and material production, by providing natural drainage, and to reduce car use by providing sustainable transport links like footpaths and cycle ways.

'One vision, a thousand projects' - To encourage local organisations from the public, private and third sectors, as well as community groups to work together to deliver the Parklands vision for the Gateway.

Sir Terry Farrell said:

"Landscape is at the heart of this vision for the Thames Gateway Parklands. Investing in landscape and public realm projects will not only enhance the Gateway now, but will also provide a core vision and green infrastructure for future development across the region. The Thames estuary was shaped by nature and in turn shaped our history. The vision is about respecting and enhancing that natural and man-made heritage. It is one unique place.

"It has been my privilege to work with many organisations across the region who are committed to harnessing the power of landscape to deliver the Parklands vision. Today's announcement is a big step towards the ambition of "one vision, a thousand projects". It's now up to local organisations to take up the vision and see it through. They will have all my help and support."

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

"As with all regeneration projects it is how we blend the natural environment with the new infrastructure that is crucial to the success of the Thames Gateway. This vision should help improve the quality of life for the London Thames Gateway's current residents and attract new people and jobs to the east of London."

Sir Martin Doughty, Chairman of Natural England, said:

"The Thames Gateway Parklands Vision is an important step in illustrating how we can protect and enhance wildlife and landscapes and use the necessary relationship we must strike with nature to shape new communities and improve the quality of life within existing ones. Our collective ambition must be to make the regeneration of Thames Gateway an international exemplar of meeting the challenges of the future. Natural England is committed to playing its full part in this demanding but essential task."

The Thames Gateway Green Forum also focussed on emerging proposals for developing the Thames Gateway as an eco-region. Lord Hunt, Minister for Sustainable Development at DEFRA, attended the Forum and spoke in support of the eco agenda that both Parklands and the eco-region are taking forward.

Notes to Editors

1. The aims of the Thames Gateway Parklands Programme over the next three years are:

* Thames Gateway Landscapes - To identify and fund two parks of regional importance to ensure a further 600 hectares of green space.

* Thames Waterfront - To start to develop a new estuary path to run along both banks of the river.

* Thames Gateway Squares - To work with partners to identify and start work on two or three large squares. Experience of successful overseas regeneration projects shows the importance of town squares for community identity.

* Thames Gateway World Class Heritage - To help finance the UNESCO bid for world heritage site status for Chatham Historic Dockyard, and support improvements on other heritage sites.

* Thames Gateway Corridors - To fund environmental improvements to some strategic transport corridors

2. Terry Farrell is an award-winning architect and urban designer and has worked on high profile building schemes and master plans in cities such as Seattle, Hong Kong, Lisbon, Dubai, London and Seoul.

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