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.
Media Enquiries: 020 7944 3049
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsroom