Green Minds is an Urban Innovative Actions (UIC) funded project which aims to better connect people to green and blue spaces within and around the city of Plymouth.
Plymouth is a waterfront city, which has recently been designated as the UK’s first National Marine Park (2019). Surrounded by two rivers, the Tamar and Plym which meet in the Sound, these waters are an important marine environment for a diversity of species and for different users. As part of the city’s growth, there is a need to plan high quality green and blue infrastructure for Plymouth communities that maximise the benefits for health and wellbeing, social value, biodiversity, the local economy and climate resilience. Although 34% of the city is defined as green space, the quality of these spaces varies, and is often under-valued and under-used.
In this innovative project, led by Plymouth City Council’s Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Department and in collaboration with a range of local stakeholders including the University of Plymouth, Real Ideas Organisation, Plymouth College of Art, Devon Wildlife Trust, The Data Place and National Trust, the project aims to improve the quality and condition of green and blue infrastructure. It also aims to positively enhance people’s interaction and involvement in these spaces, recognising that spending time in green and blue spaces has positive health and wellbeing benefits.
