{"id":12962,"date":"2024-06-13T18:53:49","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T16:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/?p=12962"},"modified":"2024-08-16T19:43:05","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T17:43:05","slug":"persistent-anxiety-shadows-londons-botanical-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/12962\/persistent-anxiety-shadows-londons-botanical-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"The price of green health in London’s cityscape"},"content":{"rendered":"
London\u2019s rapid expansion causes tension between urban development and the preservation of green spaces. As the city sprawls, land becomes scarcer, which drives up property values and thus creates conflict between high-profit ventures like apartment buildings and the essential, but less lucrative, gardens and parks. When perceptions differ among various stakeholder groups, it becomes challenging to secure votes for spatial planning initiatives, especially those favouring an area\u2019s ecological potential. Gardens now face constant pressure to find new funding and prove their value beyond immediate financial gain. This struggle extends far beyond urban planning, directly impacting the quality of life and overall well-being of everyone who calls the city home.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Recent research highlights that cities often praised for their “liveability,” such as Vienna\u2014which held the top spot for three consecutive years\u2014benefit significantly from their extensive green belts in addition to their economic factors<\/a>. London, though celebrated for its iconic parks and gardens, presents a more nuanced reality. Although 22% of Greater London is covered by a green belt, much of this space is on the city\u2019s periphery<\/a>, making it less accessible for many residents. In London, employment opportunities and affordability are vital, but sustaining the high productivity that drives this prosperity requires a strong focus on health. However, this responsibility isn’t evenly distributed across England, with a notable correlation between green space deprivation, ethnicity, and income.<\/span><\/p>\n