Urbanisation in cities over the last twenty years has been explosive and this has led to a disconnection between people and the natural world. Today almost 90% of the population live in urban areas. In the last decade there has been much focus on developing urban greenspaces to create habitats which are species-rich and provide wide-ranging benefits for people, biodiversity and reduce surface and air temperatures. It was found that 48% of people use these greenspaces at least one a week highlighting their importance in people’s lives. Many professionals believe that mental health and obesity issues particularly in the Western world could be reduced through urban greenspace. A large number of local authorities and community groups are now planting or trialling the planting of wildflower meadows in urban greenspace. This planting is driven by a desire to increase biodiversity, educate the urban population about nature and to overcome a decline in the funding available for maintaining greenspace.
Get Planting! 