Green Infrastructure (GI) is a relatively new concept that describes a network of green (and blue or water) spaces designed, planned and managed to meet the environmental, social and economic needs of a community. It should be an integral part of the creation of sustainable communities.
A well planned GI network can help to improve water quality, manage flood risk, promote climate change adaptation and mitigation, reduce the urban heat island effect, improve community cohesion, enhance biodiversity, promote recreation, and increase the attractiveness of a place for economic investment.
Green Infrastructure can help to deliver the South West's challenge of securing a healthy environment that enables people to benefit from the natural environment close to where they live and work.
The South West now has a GI Web Portal, which provides a pool of knowledge about GI policy and implementation across the region.
More information about Blue Infrastructure in the South West is available here.
