A Fair City: Time for Change

The Birmingham Future Parks environmental justice approach explores ways to address inequalities in access to 632 green spaces across the city.

An environmental justice map has been created using 4 new data sets that better reflect 21st century living acknowledging climate change and access inequalities. The new indicators include:

·        Access to a green space (2 hectares or more) within 400m  

·        Flood Risk  

·        Urban Heat Island effect (an area much warmer due to human activity)  

·        Excess years of life lost (bringing in health inequalities)

When mapped with the usual Indices of Multiple Deprivation data sets for the Living Environment domain (housing quality, air quality and road traffic accidents) a clear city-wide picture emerges.

Wards with low access to green spaces, are urban heat islands, a flood risk and residents suffer poorer health register a low score and are mapped in red. Wards that score highly are mapped in green.

INSERT IMAGE OF EJ WARD MAP

CAPTION: The environmental justice map immediately shows which wards to prioritise for investment.

The ambition

Every park within a red ward will be assessed in greater detail using an Environmental Justice audit tool.  

The audit tool has been developed using the national Green Flag Standard but adapted to deliver on a wider criterion.  

The tool will enable Birmingham City Council to develop a ‘Fair Standard’ for parks and green spaces.

Investment will focus on 13 wards that lack high quality green spaces, starting with the 6 that fall most short of the new standard.

By 2047, it is hoped all Birmingham City Council’s parks and green spaces in the lowest 35 wards would be brought up to the new ‘Fair standard.’ 

Find out more….

·       Explore the Environmental Justice Toolkit

·       Contact a member of the Birmingham FPA team

·       Read this blog