Community led GBI toolkit

Introduction

Many assets of community value contribute towards the Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) network within Carmarthenshire. Whilst being a significant hub for social wellbeing, sites such as public parks, greenspaces, and community growing facilities also help meet the needs and interests of the present generation whilst also benefiting the environment, nature, and economy for future generations. Both community assets and GBI are intrinsically linked to sustainable development and must be considered in promoting the principles of placemaking.

The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the key considerations needed for community groups, third sector organisations and Town and Community Councils alike to engage in the process of safeguarding, managing, and creating GBI at a neighbourhood level.

As a toolkit, this resource may be used as a starting point for those looking to provide community led GBI within their local area. It is not intended to be used as an exhaustive resource. Whilst this resource has specifically focused on the delivery of GBI assets at the neighbourhood level, it may also be useful for those seeking to provide community assets more generally too.

There are two key organisations which are referenced throughout, they have a number of extensive resources and services related to setting up green spaces which are likely to be extremely helpful for those seeking to establish a new space:

Social Farms and Gardens

The Community Land Advisory Service Cymru

Background

GBI refers to the network of multifunctional green and blue spaces that are interwoven into urban, peri-urban and rural areas. It has significant strengths in alleviating social, economic, and environmental challenges by sustainably enhancing the use of land and managing conflicting pressures. GBI assets can vary significantly but they can includes gardens, play spaces, allotments, orchards, and hedgerows.

Community involvement plays a vital role in the success of such assets which rely upon understanding (and being designed to meet) the needs of the communities they are intended to support. Community-led GBI has the ability to deliver a number of social and environmental benefits including encouraging community participation in decision making, social cohesion, placemaking, and stronger community stewardship through active volunteering.