Public spaces

Streets, parks and other public spaces provide the framework for our public lives but the quality of England’s public space has suffered from long-term decline and underinvestment.

New investment has provided some opportunities to turn this around, and where that investment happens it is vital to get that work right. Over the next three years CABE will work to help achieve an improvement in the design, management and maintenance of England’s public spaces.

CABE will do this by

• developing a national skills strategy for urban green space
• supporting the strategic planning of public space and site-specific projects in priority areas
• promoting the value of well-designed, managed and maintained parks, squares and streets in the creation of high quality places
• producing practical guidance on the adaptation of public space for climate change
• promoting the creation of inclusive spaces that are accessible, attractive and safe for all
• sharing and promoting good practice.
  

Main partners and audiences

Central, regional and local government, local delivery vehicles, housing market renewal partnerships, green space managers and highways engineers.

Measuring success

CABE wants its advice to lead to:

• an improvement in the quality of the public space, including green spaces
• a reduction in the skills gap in the green space sector and an increase in the proportion of local authorities who have skilled green space managers with improved financial, leadership and management skills.
• an increase in the proportion of local authorities who have adopted a strategic approach to planning and investing in public spaces, including green spaces and play areas, that increase diversity and access for all
• a rise in the proportion of public space delivery organisations that understand the benefits of high quality and well-managed public space, including streets, squares, parks and other green spaces.