How Can Inequalities in Access to Green Space be Addressed in a Post-Pandemic World? Lessons from London

Parks and green spaces have long been central to London’s identity. The importance of London’s greenness has been highlighted during COVID-19. Access to green space has featured prominently in government’s response, and use of public parks has dramatically increased. Yet, the pandemic also has brought existing inequalities into sharper focus. Initial data suggest increased park use been driven by young and wealthy residents. This chapter explores two initiatives that emerged from this framework: The Urban Greening policy and the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme. These initiatives reframe London’s approach to urban greening by integrating a broader spectrum of green elements – including trees, pocket parks, and vegetated roofs and walls — into streets, buildings and public realm. This builds a network of greener civic spaces that connect to and augment existing parks while magnifying benefits green spaces provide. Rather than proposing wholly new solutions to address complex problems reinforced by the pandemic, this chapter reflects on whether accelerated implementation of existing initiatives provides a more pragmatic approach to achieving more equitable access to increased greening across London.