8. How environmentally sustainable is the area?

This page is part of an E-resource for LSx's Sustainability Matrix tool. For more information please click here.

What sucess would mean

“We will protect and improve the city’s natural ecosystems, its biodiversity, its open spaces and its built environment. We will help to protect the wider regional, national and international environments with which London has links.”

“We will limit and deal with out pollution, and use energy and material resources prudently, efficiently and effectively, including re-using and recycling our residual waste.”

London Sustainable Development Commission¹

An environmentally sustainable area is good for...

• Stronger local economy - there are often economic advantages to environmentally friendly behaviour, for example WRAP find that companies can spend as much as 10% of turnover in the disposal of wood waste to landfill, whilst waste reuse and recycling can generate savings of at least 1% of turnover and 10% of profits.
• Healthy people - people living in built up areas with good access to gardens or green, open spaces have a lower prevalence of mental disorders than people in built up areas with no such access.If people practice sustainable travel, traffic volumes will fall, as will levels of congestion and air-pollution, which are both linked to lower mental well-being and physical health.

As an example, sustainable transport behaviours, such as bike or car clubs, can engender good social support networks, improve health, increase job satisfaction, improve civic pride, and reduce inequalities by increasing access to transport, and therefore employment, for the lowest socio-economic groups.

Examples of Relevant National Indicators:

• NI167: Congestion - average journey time per mile during the morning peak
• NI175: Access to services and facilities by public transport, walking and cycling
• NI197: Improved local biodiversity - active management of local sites

Case study
Camden Walking Plan

What is it?

• Since 1999 the London Borough of Camden has been implementing a plan to change the way streets are used.
• The aim is move away from street areas dominated by the movement and parking of cars, to an environment where people can meet socially and enjoy a high quality urban realm.

How does it work?

• The Walking Plan has been implemented through education, training and infrastructure improvements and has resulted in demonstrable benefits for road safety.

What are the main impacts?

• More environmentally sustainable area - reduced traffic levels resulting in lower CO₂ emissions and better air quality
• Healthy people - evidence from the Central London Partnership shows that reducing traffic levels, speed, noise and pollution results in streets that are more pedestrian friendly.
• Respectful, strong and cohesive communities - by encouraging people to walk and rediscover local streets the Walking Plan generates other benefits by improving the sense of community.
• Safety – more pedestrians using the streets can help reduce crime and the fear of crime.

For more information, contact:
Camden Walking Plan
T: 020 7974 5140
Website

Footnotes
1. London Sustainable Development Commission Framework