The principles that underpin the Green Infrastructure Framework set out what good green infrastructure is, why it’s important and how to do it well. The 'what', 'why' and 'how' of good green infrastructure.

Why green infrastructure should be provided: the benefits

1. Nature-rich, beautiful places

Green infrastructure supports nature to recover and thrive everywhere, in towns, cities and countryside, conserving and enhancing natural beauty, wildlife and habitats, geology and soils, and our cultural and personal connections with nature.

2. Active and healthy places

Green infrastructure supports active lifestyles, community cohesion and nature connections that benefit physical health, mental health & wellbeing and quality of life. Green infrastructure also helps to mitigate health risks such as urban heat stress, noise pollution, flooding and poor air quality.

3. Thriving and prospering communities

Green infrastructure helps to create and support prospering communities that benefit everyone. It adds value by creating quality environments that are attractive to businesses and investors, creates green jobs, supports retail and high streets, and helps support the local economy and regeneration.

4. Improved water management

Green infrastructure reduces flood risk, improves water quality and natural filtration. It helps maintain the natural water cycle and sustainable drainage at local and catchment scales, reducing pressures on the water environment and infrastructure, bringing amenity, biodiversity, economic and other benefits.

5. Resilient and climate positive places

Green infrastructure makes places more resilient and adaptive to climate change and helps to meet zero carbon and air quality targets. Green infrastructure itself should be designed to adapt to climate change to ensure long term resilience.

What good green infrastructure looks like: the attributes

1. Multifunctional

Green infrastructure should deliver a range of functions and benefits for people, nature and places. Multifunctionality (delivering multiple functions from the same area of green infrastructure) is especially important in areas where provision is poor quality or scarce.

2. Varied

Green infrastructure should comprise a variety of types and sizes of green and blue spaces, green routes and environmental features (as part of a network) that can provide a range of different functions, benefits and solutions to address specific issues and needs.

3. Connected

Green infrastructure should function and connect as a living network for people and nature at all scales (e.g. within sites, and across regions/at national scale). It should enhance ecological networks and support ecosystem services, connecting provision of green infrastructure with those who will benefit.

4. Accessible

Green infrastructure should create and maintain liveable places that enable people to experience and connect with nature. It should offer everyone access to good quality parks, greenspaces, and recreational walking and cycling routes that are inclusive, safe, welcoming, well-managed and accessible for all.

5. Character

Green infrastructure should respond to an area’s character so that it contributes to the conservation, enhancement and/or restoration of landscapes. Or, in degraded areas, creates new high-quality landscapes to which local people feel connected.

How to plan, design, and nurture green infrastructure: the process

1. Partnership and vision

Work in partnership, and collaborate with stakeholders from the outset to plan, develop and deliver a vision for green infrastructure in the area. Engage a diverse and inclusive range of people and organisations including citizens, local authorities, developers, communities, landowners, greenspace managers, environmental, health, climate, transport and business representatives,

2. Evidence

Use scientific evidence, and good land use practices when planning and enhancing green and blue infrastructure. Understand the benefits of current green infrastructure assets; and the data on the environmental, social & economic challenges and needs of the area.

3. Plan strategically

Plan strategically and secure green infrastructure as a key asset in local strategy and policy, at all scales. Fully integrate and mainstream green infrastructure into environmental, social, health and economic policy. Create and maintain sustainable places for current and future populations, and address inequalities in green infrastructure provision.

4. Design

Understand an area's landscape/townscape, natural, historic and cultural character to create well-designed, beautiful and distinctive places.

5. Managed, valued, monitored and evaluated

Plan good governance, funding, management, monitoring, and evaluation of green infrastructure as a key asset from the outset and secure it for the long-term. Make the business case for green infrastructure. Engage communities in stewardship where appropriate. Celebrate success and raise awareness of green infrastructure benefits.

Green Infrastructure principles downloads

Green Infrastructure Principles

Green Infrastructure Standards