Well maintained green spaces can add value to an area
A new report, ‘Economic Landscapes’, has provided proof that landscape quality can impact significantly on the economy.
As part of the Creating a Setting for Investment project, Economic Landscapes aims to address the fact that whilst development strategies have for some time recognised a link between high quality environments and successful, prosperous regional economies, there has been little evidence to support this connection. This has meant that it has been difficult to embed strategies for creating attractive settings to enable investment into policy and practice.
The €10m project has been delivered by partners across Europe, including the South Yorkshire Forest Partnership, Sheffield City Council and the University of Sheffield in the UK.
Using ground-breaking research and test sites across Europe, the project has, over a five year period, explored the links between landscape quality, the location decisions of investors and occupiers, and the value of land at commercial property development locations.
The evidence within the report proves what has for some time been theorised – that investment decisions, which have a significant impact on an area’s economy, are influenced by landscape quality.
On the back of the evidence within the report, a series of recommendations have been made by the project in a bid to ensure that the research findings can be used by development agencies, regional policy makers, environment agencies and others involved in planning and implementing landscape enhancement programmes.
Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward, said: “This is an incredibly valuable piece of work. For the first time we have a body of information from which we can learn, and a comprehensive study on how to manage and improve the quality of our landscape to maximise an area’s economic viability. By doing so, we will also look after our previous environmental resources and improve quality of life for local communities.”
For a copy of the full Creating a Setting for Investment – Economic Landscapes report visit the website.
