How should we save our settlements?
My previous article on this topic suggested nature-based solutions (NBS) being applied to Oxford. But, since NBS are useful everywhere, a nationwide introduction is needed, with a Green New Deal for every district.
How can we make our settlements more like the countryside, with less noise, pollution, and traffic? If the intention is to eradicate the negative impact of urban sprawl and depletion of the natural environment, NBS could contribute to making our settlements more attractive, liveable places. Additional development, often urban sprawl, is frequently created without any concern for improvements needed in existing settlements. Even more rare is recognition of what should be conserved or introduced for the future.
“A Guide for Emergency Action?”
Paul Chatterton’s excellent book, How to Save the City (2023), offers a starting point for this transition. Chatterton suggests, in line with Extinction Rebellion, that there are both climate and ecological emergencies. Aside from climate failures arising from human activity, about half of the planet’s species are now at risk. He does, however, add social emergencies as a third global emergency.
Social emergencies have been widespread throughout the planet for decades. Poverty, inequality, inadequate housing, and hunger are not confined to developing countries. My experience in teaching Development Studies and European Studies has convinced me that social emergencies differ by country, based on the proportion of people impacted in each state. The spread of social problems, oppression, and the politically motivated cultivation of fear are striking. In the UK, austerity policies weaken social justice policies. Chatterton suggests we need to be active in positive resistance to the three global emergencies wherever possible.
Defining nature-based solutions
Determination of what is included in NBS will require sensible judgement at local levels, with a preliminary assessment of definitions.
The European Commission defines NBS as:
“Solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social, and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes, and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions.”
The Organisation for Economic Development, United Nations Environment Programme, and International Union for the Conservation of Nature offer compatible definitions. The Environment Agency has provided a thorough application of NBS to water catchments the UK.
Being specific about nature-based solutions in settlements:
For climate change adaptation
NBS may help secure environmental, economic, and social improvements, based on benefits such as supporting vital climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as biodiversity and ecosystem enhancements. This necessitates that NBS are mainstreamed throughout governance and planning, and not obstructed by institutional preferences.
Including NBS and locally determined versions of a Green New Deal in all relevant functions of local government and public services is challenging. How institutions cope with the impact of climate change is a critical aspect of the UK’s resilience. Can a community adjust to effects of extreme heat or coastal changes, given complex impacts? Mainstreaming and resilience may not be possible without a wide variety of local voluntary groups helping communities to adapt. Communities vary in their capacity to sustain voluntary groups. Since situations are subject to frequent change, “adaptive management” is required, locally and nationally.
Green, blue, and grey infrastructures
Green (environmental) and blue (water) infrastructures support life in settlements. But existing developments, or ‘grey infrastructure’, are what we live and work in, housing key institutions for education and health. It includes our walking and cycling routes, road and rail networks, and more. Cutting active travel spending, as Starmer’s Government did, was unhelpful after decades of under-investment.
There is a reasonable case for integrating how we use our infrastructures, according to localised manifestations of climate change and the adaptations needed. “Soil sealing”, creating impermeable surfaces, and densification within settlements make it harder to cope with extreme weather. This suggests that we need to build new homes upwards, not outwards – once the empty built environment has been fully utilised.
Meeting social goals as the climate changes
Meeting social objectives in our settlements means that how our communities are governed is just as important as the resilience of water supplies, improving air quality, and having buildings which withstand extreme heat. It is reasonable to doubt whether many politicians – encumbered by conservative assumptions, especially about spending and taxation – are capable of ensuring resilience. The centralisation of tax resources is a major problem, facilitating austerity and obstructing local Green New Deals and other valuable policies.
And ensuring justice is delivered through NBS is essential. If we are serious about just transitions, sustainable urbanisation must be coupled with ecosystem restoration. This is partly about climate change mitigation and adaptation, but also improving how risks and resilience are managed – with large implications for people’s lives.
Reviewing NBS and considering gaps
Literature on NBS reveals some gaps – crucially, reclaiming space in settlements for nature, for the benefit of people and the climate. We need a “well-adapted UK”.
This could include:
- substantially increasing pedestrianised areas;
- tree planting for shade and drainage management, including reclaiming parts of surface car parks;
- reducing air pollution and absorbing air pollutants;
- creating rewilded corridors along the edges of school playing fields or sports fields to increase habitats;
- cutting noise; and
- contributing to studies in Geography, including the Natural History GCSE.
Institutional barriers are often noted in NBS literature, highlighting a lack of trained staff and uncollaborative forms of governance and planning amongst other things. It is disturbing that 73% of NBS tools provide quantitative data when qualitative data concerning issues of public engagement, including the role of voluntary and statutory groups and individuals in supporting NBS actions in communities, are of importance.
Barriers and enablers need attention at community and national level and might require re-tasking civil service departments. Implementation is often discussed, but NBS need crisis-proofing as well. Emergency planning in the UK needs to be vastly superior to that when Covid struck, with special regard to our coastlines and estuaries being changed by the climate emergency.
Renewables and the resource base for NBS
People are accustomed to the shorthand that ‘renewables’ generally means renewable energy. However, renewable physical resources can only continue to be so if they will be available long-term. Some resources, like marine fish, can – under ideal conditions – regenerate. And reserves of renewable resources – including soil and water supplies – need constant attention. But many resources used in technologies such as computers and phones are scarce and have a future use requiring far better recycling. Waste requires capacity in the environment to absorb, dilute, or otherwise make it tolerable to ecosystems. Without such considerations, neither a sustainable society nor a circular economy are likely.
Conclusions
NBS are not currently generalised throughout the UK’s statutory structures. Each local council needs to adopt NBS, including detailed policies for nature restoration, and initiatives to achieve both climate change adaptation and mitigation. The recognition of a climate emergency by a local council may well not be accompanied by the political will and – critically – the resources needed for action. Simply, the UK Government is in the way.
Author’s note: With thanks to Hazel Dawe for comments.
Comments? We want to hear them. Please write to editor@westenglandbylines.co.uk
Friends of Bylines Network
There has never been a greater need for grassroots journalism that investigates the stories that really matter, holds power to account and champions the voices of everyday citizens. We are proudly powered by volunteers but what we do isn’t free.
STAND WITH US for independent, citizen-led journalism that makes democracy stronger, and you will even get some exclusive benefits.
