Brazil-UK research planning workshop

1. Brazil-UK research planning workshop Improving integration between urban and environmental policies The case of green infrastructure – Brazil & UK

2. G OS and green infrastructure in urban areas Green open spaces: parks – gardens – natural stream corridors – sportsfields - areas of ruderal vegetation, inc. railway lines –etc. Green infrastructure: network of connected spaces Offered as a solution to multiple problems and challenges – can it be encouraged and promoted?

3. Purposes/aims listed for m-f green open spaces and green infrastructure London Sao Paulo • Adaptation to climate change : • urban cooling, water resources, • address high rainfall intensity and • counter urban creep Quality of life Surface water flood control Economic benefits Health benefits Biodiversity Recreation Conservation of biodiversity and water resources Recreation opportunities

4. How to expand area of multi-functional green open space and green infrastructure London/UK MRSP • Govt. policy • Planning • Green infrastructure strategies • Planning policy statement support • Funding: from developers? • Community infrastructure levy? • Other sources? (unlikely) Laws (federal) and plans (local) “incomplete and insufficient”

5. Obstacles and research response London MRSP Obstacles Institutional: ownership and responsibilities (maintenance, etc.) Funding problems Research EU, UK, regional bodies, exploring approaches & structures Obstacles Urban land access Maintenance Research Research funding agencies, exploring water resources management and CC

6. Promising developments London MRSP All London Green Grid Requirement for and take-up of green roofs Standards for access to green areas Inclusion in local plans Establishment of partnerships Urban parks River Basin Plans 100 linear parks planned along rivers Partnerships

7. RK’s “key questions” for the seminar 1) What are the main characteristics, drivers and limitations of the initiatives under consideration? 2) How do these initiatives relate to the main concern of this network for enabling governance for sustainable and flexible urban futures? 3) Does governance actually matter in the success or failure of these initiatives? 4) If it does then what are the emerging forms and patterns of governance that are most effective for developing and implementing policies for economic growth, environmental sustainability, social inclusion and poverty alleviation? 5) What other actions or interventions can governments (at different levels), private sector and civil society actors make to facilitate more sustainable and flexible urban futures in the fields under consideration? 6) What are the key transferable or informative lessons for consideration across each country? 7) What are the conceptual and theoretical insights that can be drawn from exploring these issues across both countries? 8) What are the key issues in each field that would need to be developed as part of a broader research agenda for addressing the main objectives of this network?

8. Drivers for GOS/GI • Social policy • Quality of life • Recreation • Health benefits • Environmental policy • Surface water flood control • Biodiversity enhancement • Economic policy • Economic benefits (Property values, jobs..) • Globalisation agenda? • Population growth in urban areas

9. Drivers • Social policy • Quality of life • Recreation • Health benefits • Environmental policy • Surface water flood control • Biodiversity enhancement • Water resources • Economic policy • Economic benefits (Property values, jobs..) CC agenda, M & A

10. Limitations • Governance: policies are there but limited action • Does governance actually matter in the success or failure of these initiatives? (RK) • Access to land/ownership of land • Acceptability to stakeholders • Role of stakeholders • Community support • Funding issues What other actions or interventions can governments (at different levels), private sector and civil society actors make to facilitate more sustainable and flexible urban futures in the fields under consideration? (RK) Public engagement? Education and awareness?

11. Proposed research areas Explore the structural problems of urban society in Brazil Review hierarchy of policies and plans for integration potential, and projects Public engagement approaches? (as in C-Change, from Sp. Plng. for teenagers to Klimaroute) Alternative approaches to ensuring implementation ?/ Can the ALGG (see below) offer anything as a model for development of the SP linear parks?

12. ELGG to All London Green grid Framework Agreement SPG November 2006 for ELGG In East London, there are 6 areas and within these, over 300 green infrastructure projects to be delivered by public agencies or as an integral part of developments. First phase: over 100 projects to push forward over the next 3-5 years. Network for East London to be anchored in the London Thames Gateway and a series of strategic walks DCLG Thames Gateway Parklands + Defra’s Greening the Gateway strategy Now being developed into the ALL LONDON GREEN GRID

13. Thank you.

14. Michael Jacobs, Adam Lent and Kevin Watkins (2003) An Agenda for Progressive Globalisation The four key demands of the Progressive Globalisation agenda are as follows:  An equitable system of global trade; The regulation of economic activity for economic stability and for the protection of workers, consumers and the environment; The establishment of global mechanisms for the redistribution of income and wealth from rich nations and actors to poorer ones; and The introduction of democratic legitimacy into the system of global governance.

15. MRSP linear parks