Inspires: greener cities
The value of green
Sheffield's value in industry is well known - but these days green space is one of the highest value assets in towns and cities, due to the health benefits it affords residents.
With 1/3 of Sheffield located in the Peak District National Park, plus 800 managed spaces, we are incredibly privileged to have so much green and blue space in our city boundary.
So much so, in fact, that at 61%, we aren't just the greenest city in the UK but the second greenest city in the world, after Oslo.
Our green heritage
Sheffield didn't reach 61% of greenspace by accident and actually has a significant history of conservationism and activism, spanning more than 100 years, that has helped protect this.
Sheffield native, Ethel Haythornthwaite was a pioneer of countryside protection, who campaigned to save the 747-acre Longshaw Estate (now a National Trust site) from development, and helped acquire land around city that became its precious green belt as we know it today.
She founded the Sheffield Association for the Protection of Rural Scenery which is now known as the local branch of national countryside charity, CPRE, while also helping establish the creation of the UK's first National Park, The Peak District.
Around the same time, G.H.B. Ward established one of the first rambling associations in the UK, the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers, who played a pivotal role in 'Right to Roam' access rights, which finally became official UK legislation as the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000).
So from the late 1800s, these two leading figures, (and many others alongside them, including prolific polymath, John Ruskin) inspired a whole movement in the attribution of value to nature and green spaces in relation to cities and society.
We are proud that, today, Sheffield continues to inspire major cities in the inclusion and development of the outdoors as part of their identity, while also helping solve climate, sustainability and nature challenges faced by the world.
Grey to Green: an EU Climate-Adapt case study
Scenes like the one above are now a fairly common sight in CGI images that are created to show how streets of major global cities (densely packed with cars) can be transformed into something that looks beautiful, helps combat global warming, and improves health and nature.
Except this isn't a CGI in Sheffield, this is an actual photograph demonstrating how a new green vision for urban planning has been pioneered and successfully put into practice, right here in our city.
The most prominent example in Sheffield, is 'Grey to Green' which has completely transformed part of in city's oldest district, Castlegate, and is all thanks to the exceptional work of The Green Estate, Professor Nigel Dunnett, landscape architect Zac Tudor, and the planning team at Sheffield City Council.
The UK's Longest Green Street Corridor
It may be called 'Grey to Green' because of the obvious transformation it creates, but this is much more than pretty planting as the holistic approach includes:
- Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) to assist in flood management
- Specially cultivated wildflower planting which blooms year-round, improves insect populations, and requires minimal cutting and management
- Cycling and walking infrastructure, as well as allowing the creation of space for events and markets (such as Pollen in Sheffield) to create community benefits
- Climate cooling in hot weather
Most recently, the Grey to Green initiative has been published by the EU's 'Climate-Adapt' project as a 'best in class' example. It is also further being introduced into numerous areas of public and private development as Sheffield continues to regenerate - including children's play spaces like Pounds Park, new Dutch roundabouts, and city centre retail areas.
The reputation, expertise and experience Sheffield holds in this area is not just beneficial to local residents and visitors. In addition to helping make our green spaces even more abundant and resilient, it is also powering exports and industry around the world, where cities and regions are learning from and adapting Sheffield's approach to make their own places better.
Going greener
The Green Estate team have become nationally acclaimed experts in nature-based solutions and sustainable urban landscaping.
The development of their innovative wildflower planting has led to a blooming industry in Pictorial Meadows, with many towns and cities all over the world adapting areas of grey space into greener alternatives.
This has led to The Green Estate receiving the distinguished King's Award for Enterprise Celebration, whilst Nigel Dunnett has been named one of the top 3 people in the UK landscape industry, won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, and been commissioned to work all over the world, including projects such as 'Superbloom' at The Tower of London.
Inspiring sustainability - globally and locally
A BBC feature
The BBC produced a feature on sustainability projects in Sheffield, which features interviews with some of the people doing research that inspires and impacts projects and interventions around the world.
It also shows smaller scale impact, with local activations making a difference in communities around the city.
Celebrating Sheffield as The Outdoor City
Festival of the Outdoors
Kicking off the outdoor season with a bang! Each March, Festival of the Outdoors offers a full month of events and activities celebrating Sheffield's great outdoors and communities. With a really wide variety of events there's something for everyone!
A Greenground Map of Sheffield
Sheffield actually has more than 800 managed green spaces across 4,000 hectares within the city boundary. With so much on offer, we wanted to create something to help demonstrate how accessible greenspaces are in The Outdoor City and so we commissioned a ‘Greenground Map’ from designer Helen Ilus.
A city of ancient woodlands
There are 70 managed ancient woodlands in Sheffield, where you'll walk through trees that have seen the transformation of the city through the industrial years.
Explore the parks of the UK's greenest city
Walk for a few minutes in any direction in Sheffield and you’ll most likely wander through at least one of its 800-plus managed greenspaces, including woodlands, parks and public gardens.
Outdoor Cityzens: Looking after our world
We have 61% greenspace within our borders, we have more trees per person than any other city in Europe, we have over 800 managed greenspaces across 4,000 hectares of land, and it’s recently coming to light that we have more peatland bog than any other city too (which tops the charts for carbon capture). These facts are a source of great pride, but come with a duty to look after what we have.
Outdoor activity providers
Whether it's in the city on the canals or on the edges in the reservoirs of the Peak District, there are numerous activity providers who can guide you, instruct you, lead you and hire you everything you'll need to make the most of The Outdoor City.
What greener cities mean for people
Amongst all the many benefits of greener cities, one of the most important things is how it makes people, especially when everyone can get access to and benefit from the natural world around them.
There's a lot more to do to make nature and the outdoors accessible to all, but this short film gives you a snapshot of what it feels like in Sheffield.
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A global health tech revolution
Just as we were (and still are) a trailblazer in industry and modern manufacturing, shaping how the world makes products, Sheffield is now also doing the same in the world of health tech - especially for young people.
The art of climbing
Sheffield inspires the development of one of the fastest growing sports in the world. From the roots of UK rock climbing in the 1880s, through to creating the routes for the inaugural climbing event at the Olympic Games 2020. We are 'home' for the originators of the sport, current Team GB Climbing athletes, designers and manufacturers, making us the Climbing Capital of the UK.
Outdoors & nature
The UK's greenest city, where nature and culture intertwine. The historic Peak District National Park and and spiritual home of the country's climbing scene, with downhill mountain biking, road cycling and a hive of activity for kayakers, walkers and runners of all ability.
City Breaks
You don't have to go far to experience Sheffield, The Outdoor City, where nature and culture go hand in hand. Come and see what could be part of your next great weekend away.
