How has Covid-19 changed the use of parks and green space in London? How might this have impacted on active travel and physical activity, and subjective wellbeing? What are the negative and positive experiences that people are having in parks and green spaces? How could access and use of green spaces be improved to make it fair for all, mitigating risk?

Join us on Wednesday 24th March for a webinar and discussion led by Dr Krystallia Kamvasinou, Prof. Rachel Aldred (School of Architecture and Cities) and Dr Nina Smyth (Psychology, School of Social Sciences) who will present research on ‘Green space in London during Covid19’ funded by the University of Westminster’s Sustainable Cities and the Urban Environment Research Community.

The research examined people’s experiences in June-July 2020 through an online questionnaire survey. We received nearly 1000 responses that highlighted the importance of the topic for Londoners. Preliminary findings offer new insights into a range of issues such as access, use, risks and benefits of London’s green spaces and their importance for active lives and people’s wellbeing.

The team will also discuss ongoing work funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust under the title ‘Adaptation of the public realm to Covid19 and the impact on future planning and design of sustainable and healthy cities’ that aims to contribute to a growing body of research on post-pandemic cities.

We will be joined by invited panellists from professional organisations who will share their viewpoints and open the topic to a wider audience.

The event is free and All are welcome!

We will be joined by panellists:

Jane Findlay, President, Landscape Institute

Wayne Stephenson, Director of Environment and Climate, London Borough of Hounslow

Phillippa Banister, Founder Director, Street Space

Tony Leach, Chief Executive, Parks for London

Green Space, Wellbeing and COVID-19