Awards and Features
The Reginald Salisbury Travel Bursary - Recipient
Information
The world health organization recommends that all people reside within 300m of green space (parks, woodland, scrubland etc.). Overall, people of lower socio-economic status reap greater benefit from urban green space than more privileged groups, especially in terms of reducing stress and improving mental health.
However, a recent study purported that the UK has lost an area of green space to new build housing developments almost the size of Cornwall (3,563 km2) in the last 30 years. The threat is at an unprecedented level and land hungry developers are jeopardizing delicate urban and city ecosystems in favour of large cash sum incentives.
Protecting our urban green spaces is an important social and environmental justice issue. They are a vital component in the fight against climate change where they absorb large quantities of harmful co2. Prevent urban sprawl and cities from expanding exponentially and cool the inner-city temperature. Perhaps more importantly, these spaces help us unwind, support our exercise regimes, alleviate stress, and provide children and adults with much needed locations to be free and form friendships and connections to nature.
Inviting people to talk about their experience and intrinsic relationship/connection with green spaces opens an important dialogue that explores and addresses the trajectory of this disastrous and destructive governmental paradigm that confronts the legitimacy of the decision makers.