LI life: access to landscape
Creating safer spaces in the public realm by Johanna Elvidge During the last decade, design and policy focus has centred on environmental sustainability in the urban realm, with emphasis on topics such as ecosystem services, improving biodiversity, optimising the circular economy and minimising the carbon impact of new public spaces. Whilst this shift is imperative for positive climate outcomes, has this step forward affected the balance around public safety? Has it changed the amount of consideration being given to making sure people in communities feel safe and are safe when using public realm spaces? Are our placemaking projects being designed with both night and day in mind, with enough thought given to
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the darker hours in particular? And how can we balance the absolutely vital inclusion of biodiverse design – which often features dense planting and dark corridors for nocturnal species – with the need to create familiar, welcoming landscapes that are accessible to all, 24 hours a day? Landscape manufacturer Marshalls is now tackling this topic, in collaboration with the Landscape Institute alongside urban planners, landscape architects, engineers and other building industry experts with a direct influence on the evolving urban environment. A resulting paper will explore common themes around creating safer spaces, from wayfinding, accessibility and security, through to acoustics, lighting and the use of technology. There will be a focus not just in terms of design and construction, but also in maintaining quality safe
spaces without overreaching in terms of cost or time resource. The paper will be published in spring 2022. If you would like to be involved in this work, please contact: karen.ogden@marshalls.co.uk To register for a copy of the paper, register at: https://www.marshalls. co.uk/saferspaces
Johanna Elvidge is head of design at Marshalls. Johanna has a Masters from Leeds Beckett University, is a visiting lecturer in landscape architecture and winner of the Arup Cities Alive: Rethinking Green Infrastructure prize in 2020.
