ReThink, Reuse Series: The Power of Space

The following post comes courtesy of Global Site Plans' The Grid. CNU and Global Site Plans recently teamed up to syndicate Grid content, as its contingent of writers presents a view on the opportunities and issues of urbanization all across the world. CNU will carry select posts from the Grid direct on the CNU Salons.

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Capacity utilization is a key term in business and an increasingly important term with regards to sustainability. The way in which cities utilise space is becoming a far more pressing issue in today’s world. The various ways space can be used inevitably forecasts a city’s future. In the United Kingdom, Nottingham leads the top twenty British cities in terms of green space. Can Nottingham’s superior advantage stimulate innovative uses for green space?

In the last series, Global Site Plans presented how Nottingham’s citizens could benefit from having abandoned buildings turned into sprawling greenhouses.The more aware, educated, and conscious the population is, the greater chance city officials have in becoming a more sustainable society.

As resources become more scarce, city leaders will need to find innovative ways to reuse the resources they have around them. In the United Kingdom,allotments are a staple in the culture dating back to the 1730’s. Nottingham currently boasts the longest lasting allotment in England. With this being planted right in the fabric of Nottingham’s culture, the process of spreading this practice citywide would not be problematic.

ReUse: Complete Makeover of Backyards

Urban Planners can strategically work with gardening services to redesign urban backyards in the model of allotments. The overall benefits of doing such will allow the city to maximize underutilized space, exhibit the importance of green space within the community, and promote a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for those in Nottingham.

Space is critical and health is crucial. By introducing widespread residential allotments, city planners and officials can solve two problems with one solution.

How would allotments contribute to sustainability? In what ways could you use them for your city?

To read the original post, written by Michael Jenkins, visit Global Site Plans.