UK city dwellers demand access to nature and green space

• Creating nature-based solutions: incorporating nature-based solutions into the urban spaces it develops and operates to help meet net zero ambitions and build resilience to a changing climate. Landsec will use the Urban Greening Factor measurement to analyse the quality of green space on providing ecosystem services such as permeability, cooling, and air purification.

The strategy’s three core principles align with what people living and working in cities understand about the positive impact nature can provide to society and their quality of life, such as benefits to physical health (85 per cent agree) and mental health (87 per cent), as well as mitigating the impacts of climate change (80 per cent).  

“Nature is not a luxury but a necessity for equitable, resilient and thriving cities,” said Landsec head of sustainability, Jennie Colville. “It plays a vital role in keeping our cities habitable, from the food that we eat, to the air that we breathe, and can be one of the best lines of defence against climate change. The quality and amount of nature in urban places has been neglected in recent years because of population growth, industrialisation and the development needed to meet modern society’s needs.

“To build the cities we need for the future, we must change our approach to urbanisation in a way that enables people and nature to co-exist, while creating jobs and fuelling economic growth. If cities don’t embrace this change, they risk losing out on valuable talent, growth, and vitality, while remaining vulnerable to the intensifying impacts of climate change. Through our nature strategy, we’re taking a holistic approach to the way we design, develop, and manage our places to find the right solutions, ones that benefit the environment and communities, and reflect the full value of nature.” 

Biodiversity Net Gain

The new strategy will go beyond current government guidelines, which requires developers to provide 10 per cent BNG on all habitats within the redline boundary of their development, whether or not they are impacted. For existing assets, Landsec has committed an additional 10 per cent increase to its existing BNG targets, while for future developments Landsec will aim to make a 20 per cent BNG on sites with existing greening and ensure the development of two biodiversity units per hectare (2 unit/ha) for sites with no greening.

To embed nature within its operational and standing assets, Landsec has created 15 Core Nature Requirements (CNRs) that will underpin the development process, including guidance on which types of green interventions (GI) are required to satisfy each requirement. Guidance has been incorporated into Landsec’s Sustainable Development Toolkits, a comprehensive guide used by its development teams and external partners to ensure sustainability is considered throughout the design and construction of its projects.

“Nature is not a luxury but a necessity for equitable, resilient and thriving cities”

Landsec has also created Nature Action Plans (Naps) for every operational asset under its control across the company. The Naps were developed following a portfolio-wide ecological assessment, and lists opportunities for improvement on each site to deliver against the three core principles and metrics. A Nature Handbook has also been developed by Landsec to guide site teams and landscapers on design and implementation factors such as appropriate species and positioning.

The strategy builds on Landsec’s existing work to improve nature and restore biodiversity through its developments. For example, at its flagship London building, The Forge, over 25 wildflower species have been planted on its green roof, alongside wetland pools, sandy piles, and cobbled areas to provide a variety of habitats for invertebrates. In Mayfield, Manchester, Landsec has redeveloped brownfield land to create an urban park – the first in the centre of Manchester in 100 years. 

By allowing the River Medlock in Greater Manchester to regain its natural path, which has been enhanced with diverse planting and landscaping, the Environmental Agency has recorded fish species in that part of the River Medlock for the first time in May 2023.

Landsec will report on progress for operational assets every two years, while for future developments, progress will be updated on a project-by-project basis via ecological surveys to allow initiatives time to establish.