As a member of the Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG), the London Tree Officers Association is proud to announce the release today by TDAG of a new guide on urban trees for all those involved in making or influencing the decisions that shape our neighbourhoods towns and cities.
With over 80% of the UK’s population living in urban settings, trees in and around built-up areas – which many call the “urban forest” – have become a key component of the infrastructure that makes places work, look and feel better.
Trees in the Townscape, a Guide for Decision Makers takes a 21st century approach to urban trees, one that keeps pace with and responds to the challenges of our times. It offers 12 action-oriented principles spanning the range of planning, design, works and management issues that must be addressed for maximum economic, social and environmental returns.
34 case studies provide real-life examples of the principles in action, giving insight into best practice from all over England including Birmingham, Bristol, Hackney, Islington, Leeds, Newcastle, Oxford, Plymouth, Torbay, and Sefton as well as from further afield including the US and Hong Kong!
In keeping with TDAG’s ethos of raising awareness of the role of trees in the built environment by facilitating cross-sector and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the development of this new guide was based on over 40 interviews and extensive consultation not only with London tree officers, but also with civil engineers, insurers, developers, designers, planners, tree officers from other regions, tree nursery managers, ecologists, arboriculturits, academics and not-for-profit organisations dedicated to community engagement and trees. The project also benefited from the financial support of an astoundingly diverse range of sponsors.
Such bottom-up and collaborative approach has already paid back: Trees in the Townscape, a Guide for Decision Makers promptly received endorsements from 12 organisations, including The Forestry Commission, Bristol City Council, Birmingham City Council, York City Council, Torbay Council, Newcastle City Council, the London Borough of Hackney, the London Borough of Merton, Westminster City Council, the Victoria Business Improvement District, Peabody, Tor Homes…and hopefully, this is only a start!
Martin Kelly, Chair of TDAG, said:
“In the current challenging economic times, this guide provides timely advice on how to ensure that investment to solve one problem also delivers, where possible, solutions to others. Urban trees provide in this respect a fantastic resource.”
Pam Warhurst, Chair of the Forestry Commission, said:
"We have supported the TDAG right from the very beginning as a founding member. We are proud to have been so involved in this excellent guide to support crucial local decision-making. Our councillors, parish council members and communities involved in neighbourhood planning make important decisions that affect the quality of life for all of us. They can now use sound, practical advice on how to make space for trees in towns to ensure they grow to last a lifetime. Our urban forest - the population of trees across our towns - will be better protected, improved and expanded through this initiative."
The full guide is available as a free PDF at http://www.tdag.org.uk/trees-in-the-townscape.html
NOTES:
1. Who to contact for further information about Trees in the Townscape, including images, interviews and contact details of sponsors and endorsers?
• Sue James (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel. 07906 849 674)
• Anne Jaluzot (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel. 0753 343 8482)
2. What is the Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG)?
The Trees and Design Action Group is a pioneering group of individuals, professionals and organisations from both the public and the private sectors who have come together to increase awareness of the role of trees in the built environment throughout the United Kingdom.
TDAG members share the collective vision that the location of trees, and all the benefits they bring, can be secured for future generations by influencing the planning, design, construction and management of our urban infrastructure and spaces.
Established in 2007, TDAG is not-for-profit and a-political. Its membership, on-line publications and information are free. This approach enables the group to assimilate ideas and knowledge independently or organisational hierarchy, profit or commercial interests. The LTOA has been part of the group since its formation.
Further details on current members and projects at www.tdag.org.uk
3. Who has already endorsed Trees in the Townscape?
• Cllr Simon Cook, Leader, Bristol City Council
• Cllr James McKay, Cabinet Member for a Green, Safe and Smart City, Birmingham City Council
• Cllr Nick Forbes, Leader, Newcastle City Council
• Cllr Philippa Roe, Leader, Westminster City Council
• Cllr Jeanette Richards, Executive Lead for Tourism and Environment, Torbay Council
• Cllr James Alexander, Leader, City of York
• Jules Pipe, Mayor, London Borough of Hackney
• Stephen Howlett, Chief Executive, Peabody
• Howard Toplis, Chief Executive, Tor Homes – part of the South Devon & Cornwall Housing Group
• Tom Foulkes, Chairman, Victoria Business Improvement District
• Pam Warhurst, Chair of the Forestry Commission
Endorsement statements can be found on TDAG’s website at http://www.tdag.org.uk/endorse-trees-in-the-townscape.html
4. Who are the project sponsors?
• Forestry Commission
• Woodland Trust
• Greater London Authority
• Capita Symonds
• Land Securities
• Victoria Business Improvement District
• Grosvenor Estate
• Barcham Trees
• English Heritage
• Horticultural Trades Association / Greening the UK
• The Mersey Forest
• Newlands
• Peel Land and Property
• Department for Business, Innovations and Skills
• Bennetts Associates
• Trees for Cities
• International Society of Arborists UK and Ireland Chapter
• Municipal Tree Officers Association
• University of Birmingham / Urban Futures
• Deep Root
• Peabody
• Subsidence Forum
• Aon
• Barrell Tree Consultancy
• Myerscough College
