Blue-green infrastructure and socio-spatial changes: A study of urban wetlands restoration, housing development and gentrification in London using census data

Abstract

While blue-green infrastructure (BGI), such as urban wetlands, can offer multiple benefits, including public health improvements, social cohesion, and positive environmental impacts, they can inadvertently lead to green-blue gentrification; a phenomenon that remains under examined, for example in cities like London, UK. In London, neighbourhood surrounding the Woodberry and Walthamstow wetlands have experienced social-spatial changes over the past two decades that are worthy of study. Analysis of UK census data from 2001, 2011 and 2021 and GIS analysis tracked changes in population composition nearby (0–300 m) and in the wider area (301–1000 m) surrounding the wetlands indicates that within 300 m of these wetlands, there has been a rise in non-deprived, university-educated residents and a decrease in socially rented housing, compared to 1000 m away. This suggests that nearby private (re)development in tandem with BGI projects may be contributing to green gentrification. As governments continue to promote BGI to address environmental and societal challenges, it is important for urban planners and policymakers to implement strategies to prevent displacement. This includes ensuring that the benefits of BGI are equitably distributed and that vulnerable populations are protected from involuntary relocation.