Agenda item

A report of the Director of Open Spaces (copy attached).

The Chairman introduced a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the benefit of green spaces to London and Londoners. He expressed his opinion that the topic was arguably suitable for further research and invited the Director to approach higher education institutions within London to gauge whether any PhD candidates would choose to conduct research on the topic, with any necessary support from the Corporation of London. He concluded by recommending that green spaces such as privately-owned/public-access areas such as Churchyards and ‘green roofs’ within the City not be overlooked.

An Observer expressed disappointment with the report, stating that in his opinion it was simply a desk-based exercise. He hoped therefore that the potential PhD study would be more holistic in its approach. He identified the crux of his concern being that any study should establish why green spaces were of such social and economic benefit to people.

A member of the Committee noted that she had attended the Museum of London Cultural Hub that morning and had reminded those present that the City Gardens should not be overlooked, and that for example areas of the City Gardens should feature on Direction Points throughout the City.

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