What is Green Infrastructure?

The River Colne and the Wivenhoe Trail, Colchester

Green infrastructure (GI) is a planned network of open spaces that perform a range of environmental, sustainability and quality of life benefits for local communities. It should have more than one use and also respect and enhance the character and distinctiveness of an area. To quote Natural England it should be about:

 'Putting the environment right at the centre of the planning process and producing a strategic and linked, multifunctional network of spaces with benefits for people and wildlife'.
You can read Natural England's definition here.

An Example of Green and Blue Infrastructure

GI can be a web of different spaces, woven together. For instance, ancient woodland might be connected by hedges and paths to a new park in a housing development. The urban drainage system might in turn run into a river with flood defences (an example of Blue Infrastructure). GI can be on publicly and privately accessible and owned land. It can benefit biodiversity, help address the effects of climate change, provide somewhere for people to relax and improve transport links. It should always have more than one use and ideally be linked to other pieces of GI.

In the Haven Gateway we are working very closely with Natural England. You can learn more about their and our shared approach to Green Infrastructure by reading Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Guidance.