Greener Green Belts: achieving smarter growth

Today I will

1. Justify why a review is needed in some places2. Illustrate some options3. Propose six principles for ‘smarter growth’4. Suggest how to overcome road-blocks

1. Why review our Green Belts?

• Conflicts are hurting economic growth and wellbeing where land goes to waste

• The housing ‘crisis’ creates ‘exceptional circumstances’

• Coalescence is no longer the main threat • Brownfield land does not offer enough space in cities

like Oxford• Development economics favours sustainable urban

extensions or New Garden Cities• ‘Smarter growth’ could win widespread support

2. What other options are available?

• Green Grid eg South East London• Green Fingers eg Copenhagen • Green Heart eg Randstad NL • Green wilderness eg Paris Rive

Gauche• Smart growth eg Portland Oregon

3. How can we achieve Smarter Growth?

1. Urban priority: build at least 60% of homes in urban areas

2. Green field resource: plan positively for elsewhere3. Positive planning: strategic planning should lead on what

goes where4. Sustainable development: major schemes should

minimise environmental impact 5. Funding: new mechanisms should plough back the ‘land

value uplift’ into local infrastructure eg green belt community trusts

6. Tools for the job: we should learn from other countries

• Green Belts may strangle growth• Green Fingers may be better

GROWTH COULD TAKE MANY FORMSGreener options

How would historic cities benefit?

• A much greener, pleasanter and healthier setting (environment)

• More affordable homes (social justice)• Reduced travel times (environmental impact)• Better jobs (economic growth)• Sustained knowledge sector and investment

(property values)

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4. What has to change?

1. Sub-regional spatial strategies (eg Cambridge)

2. Development agencies (eg Peterborough New Town)

3. Land assembly at existing use value plus (eg Development Corporations)

4. Local infrastructure bonds eg USA