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Open Spaces

Signposting to policy, evidence and tools

Tools and Resources for Open Spaces

What tools are available to help promote health through new developments?

Title and description Published by
Health & Urban Planning Toolkit Summary PDF
A list of key steps for PCTs and boroughs planners
NHS Healthy Urban Development Unit

How can a community measure the quality of an open space?

Title and description Published by
Spaceshaper
Spaceshaper is a practical toolkit to measure the quality of a public space before investing time and money in improving it.
It captures the views of professionals who running the space as well as those of the people that use the space.  Facilitated workshops discuss the results, design quality and how the space works for different people.
CABEN/A
Community Street Audits
Living Streets Community Street Audits identify issues and opportunities to enhance the public realm and encourage walking. Local knowledge is central to the process, as Living Streets believe that local people understand their area best.
Living Streets
Park and Green Space Self-Assessment Guide PDF
A practical guide for organisations that manage green space to help them assess the strengths and weaknesses of the space, draw up an improvement guide and plan the allocation of resources.
CABE Space
2008

What can help inspire people to use open spaces to improve their levels of well-being?

Title and description Published by
It’s Our Space PDF
A guide for community groups working to improve public space. Gives step by step guidance through four stages – prepare, design, construct and and use.
CABE Space
2007
Advice sessions for those in gardening, horticulture, forestry and floristry Capel
Toolkit: guided walks PDF
A 3 page guide to running a guided tour of a park including Must Dos and contingency planning.
Park It!
Green-Space Toolkits PDF
A range of downloadable toolkits for community groups. Topics range from promoting accessibility, promoting and marketing events, setting up a park or green space community group and involving young people.
Green Space
Database of organic farms welcoming visitors
The Soil Association’s guide to organic farms that can be visited.
Soil Association

What funding is available?

Title and description Published by
Access to Nature
This programme encourages people from all backgrounds to learn more about and enjoy the natural environment. It funds projects in urban, rural and coastal communities and aims to reach people who currently have little or no contact with nature.
Big Lottery Fund / Natural England
Mind - Ecominds programme
This programme will fund projects that encourage people with experience of mental distress to get involved in environmental projects, such as improving open spaces and wildlife habitats, designing public art and recycling.
Big Lottery Fund / Mind
Green Space Funding database
Search the fundraising database for available grants and funding streams.
Green Space
The London Tree and Woodland Grant Scheme The Forestry Commission, Groundwork London and the Mayor of London are working together to improve the trees and woodlands of London. LTWG
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