Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures

The creation of urban greenspaces is in conflict with other land uses.

But with an increasing urban population they are seen by many as being necessary for mental and physical health, as well as supporting biodiversity. Are urban greenspaces a good use of limited land space? And do the services they provide outweigh the need for more housing?

The event brings together a panel of cross disciplinary speakers, whose work focuses on the multiple benefits of greenspaces to people. It aims to create a space for open, honest dialogue and discussion between urban green infrastructure stakeholders, and highlight some of the different organisations involved in urban greenspace research from charities and healthcare to academia.

The debate will give an insight into the complexities of decision making regarding the creation and management of our urban greenspaces.

Speakers: Dr Miriam Dobson - Green Space for Health outreach officer at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Dr Vassilis Gkoumas - Economist for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Dr Nicola Dempsey - Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Sheffield