start-with-the-park

Thinking about design
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6. Adaptability and
robustness
Like other forms of development,
green spaces need to adapt in the
face of unpredictable social, economic
and environmental change. Indeed,
continuous change – with plants
growing, changing and dying back
over time – is the essence of green
space. Patterns of use and appearance
of plants and trees change from season
to season, as well as over longer periods
of time. Plants and trees can adapt
naturally to changing circumstances
and are often the first colonisers of
derelict land.
Regent’s Park was designed
as a private garden for the
surrounding residents. It now
operates very successfully
as one of the most popular
London parks
Green areas can become
useful and productive
Changing social or market conditions
can mean that parks, woodlands and
farms can function effectively as interim
uses for land that might be brought
back into use in the future. Many of
the challenges facing areas of housing
growth and low demand will take years
to overcome. Planners and clients
need to develop flexible approaches
to green space planning that include
temporary uses for green space and
recognise the importance of temporary
landscapes. Interim uses can help to
raise confidence and create a virtuous
circle of sustainable development.