London is undoubtedly the most thriving and
Open space in Greater London prosperous city in the world within the most fast growing diverse industries and non-stop life of the increasingly high and dense population, yet, in fact, it has 47% of open green space(GIGLE, 2015). In addition, it has to be mentioned that London is relatively diverse in the matter of "green networks" and wildlife within the each borough, which consequently brings a huge amount of pressure on how to
Source: http://www.gigl.org.uk/our-data-holdings/open-spaces/ maintain a sustainable infrastructure for these individual districts,considering priorities of local communities. This essay is going to cover the contrast in
http://www.gigl.org.uk/our-data-holdings/open-spaces/ terms of green space and biodiversity between two boroughs – City of London and Tower Hamlets. Furthermore, it is going to consider few difficulties in creating and improving conditions of natural spaces alongside with the importance of green space for people in each borough.
In terms of the difference between City of London and Tower Hamlets regarding their biodiversity and green space, through the thorough observations of these places it was clear that parks of one district had distinctive features of the other at many points. Interestingly, with respect to the sizes of these green spaces Tower Hamlets borough was genuinely wider with 25.2% in Mile End, whereas green spaces of central London were considered as "pocket-parks" with only 4.8%.(Greater London authority, 2010). As a matter of fact,even in considering biodiversity strategy plans of two boroughs ,it is clear that parks of the central zone of London could not accommodate as much biodiversity,especially animal species, as Tower Hamlets. City of London making attempts to enrich wildlife within the existing urban infrastructure by inserting green walls, roofs,window boxes (London Biodiversity Partnership, 2010). Tower Hamlets, on the other hand, trying to increase biodiversity by creating new developments such installing new ponds in parks and a new kingfisher bank in Victoria park which is in turn will design new habitats for all sorts of different species (Tower Hamlets, 2014). Another interesting fact is regarding a public access of green space, where the percentage of people with an access to open green space in Tower Hamlets is relatively lower than in City of London, 62.9% and 70.1% (Greater London Authority, 2012). From our group observations for the public usage priorities of the green space in these boroughs, it was quite straight forward that parks of City of London were mostly used by the local office-workers, wheres Tower Hamlets green spaces were used by all local communities — friends, families , schools.
Turning to the difficulties in matter of creation and spreading green networks, main and important ones in City of London are the cost and luck of space. As a result of structural issues, urban density, fire hazard and limited amount of space in urban area considerably prevents the idea of designing and widening natural habitats. Also,some spaces with the historic value prevent creating more green space. An absolutely suitable option is promoting living walls and green roofs,however, they require high level of maintenance — watering and fertilisation, this leads to another small challenges which include financial reasons and luck of skilled professionalism.(Greater London Authority, 2008). Tower Hamlets also faces challenges of the urban development and mostly due to costs with are reflecting in low level of government fundings and investments in green space work-projects .Tower Hamlets has quite a high level of population in the area , 284.300, whereas city Of London has only 8.100. This figure relatively requires more space for residential area(Greater London Authority, 2010)
As for the values of natural parks and squares for the people in each borough, it is worth to mention different aspects of life that are effected by the green spaced areas, they are social, cultural, health, environmental, economic, historic and the last but not the list social cohesion.However, the intensity of each of these values is fairly different within these two district. In terms of health matter both green areas are used for recreational purposes as recovering physical and mental health. It has been proved that in large areas of green space such as Tower Hamlets the level of obesity is decreasing and cardiovascular alongside with the respiratory system has a positive effect through providing free space for exercising.Nevertheless, both districts provide an aesthetic experience which has an immense impact on reducing the stress As for the social importance, having the area where children can develop their cognitive skills and increase socialising through large spaces provided to play gives a great value for the Tower Hamlets parks and farms. Although,central parks cannot provide these large areas for child’s play it is still able to supply with space for the social cohesion and interaction which also contributes to the community alliance the same as Tower hamlets parks. As far as environmental values are concerned, admittedly, urban built-up area is highly limited space for creating and developing green space. However, growing a green network in urban areas such as green roofs and living walls offers creation of diverse habitats for the various species which results in increasing and supporting biodiversity in the City of London. On the other side , Tower Hamlets already have large amount of grass and woodland which enables a significant increase in air quality through air pollutant absorption, air cooling, reducing rainwater run-off and mitigating emissions. In fact, these environmental, social and health advantages have also a knock-on effect on economic benefits for both borough by reducing the cost that is usually allocated to address these difficulties. In large areas of green space, such as Tower Hamlets, it is also an additional bonus for attracting tourism and businesses besides the increase in housing costs (City of London, 2013).
In our project work observations we have mentioned historical value for two districts as both of them have a large number of cemeteries, churchyards, for example, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park and St. Paul’s Churchyard, which are, consequently, act as preservers of natural habitats that have been there for centuries.
Green spaces are also valued as a factor in decreasing the level of crime.Unfortunately, Tower Hamlets is well known for its social derivation and it is less safe there than in City Of London. According to the Forest Research (n.d.) "In areas of social deprivation that have been improved through the provision of high quality green space crime and vandalism levels have been seen to reduce and these areas can be used for a variety of activities such as exercise and fitness which will also raise general levels of health and well-being in the community".
In conclusion, after a thorough analysis of all remarkable differences in terms of biodiversity and green space ,how it is valued and what are the challenges of making it in City of London and Tower Hamlets, it is quite clear that, although, these places are straight neighbourhoods the biodiversity situation in each boroughs is fairly different as much as the value. Additionally, due to the comparatively high distinction in terms of economic and residential aspects in each ward the difficulties in creating natural green spaces are reasonably divergent.