Last updated: October 2021
Coventry City Council's 'Public Realm Scheme' included a shared space scheme at Gosford Street. Work included newly planted trees, and landscape areas as well as an enlarged and improved pond. The project was funded by Coventry University and the European Regional Development Fund. (Ref. 1-4)
Source: Ref. 3
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Project objectives
The intervention at Gosford Street is part of the city’s ‘Public Realm Scheme’ and aims to improve the public realm area within the university and upgrade the highway. “All schemes [i.e. the public realm schemes] incorporate trees and grass wherever practical in response to repeated calls for more greenery in the city centre” (thus introducing more green spaces and trees into the city centre). (Ref. 4, 5)
Implementation activities
New trees have been planted, and a landscape area, along with an enlarged and improved pond. (Ref. 1-4)
"It has been designed to also improve safety and will incorporate new entrances to Coventry City Council’s car-parks, additional lighting and full CCTV coverage." (Ref. 2)
"A new 'central spine' has been constructed with high quality seating, lighting and trees between Gosford Street and Coventry University Engineering and Computing Building” (Ref. 3)
Also (regarding follow up): "Re-paving of Far Gosford Street to complement the Gosford Street public realm scheme". (Ref. 7)
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
"Coventry City Council and Coventry University have worked in collaboration to deliver a joint package of highway and public realm improvements. The nine month £5 million programme is 50% funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant and 50% from Coventry University." (Ref. 3)
The project is managed by Coventry City Council. (Ref. 2)
Works in partnership with Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP); comprised of private and public sector organisations. (Ref. 5)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Is part of Coventry City Council's 'Public realm scheme' (phase 3). (Ref. 5) )
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- EU funds
- Other
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Reduced emissions
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Safety
- Increased perception of safety
- Health and wellbeing
- Improved mental health
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
References
Ref. 1. Coventry City Council (n.d.) Gosford Gate. Completed improvement works. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 26 August 2020].
Ref. 2. Coventry City Council (2015) Major project improves area. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 3. Coventry City Council (n.d.) Gosford Street Coventry University. Completed improvement works. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 26 August 2020].
Ref. 4. Coventry City Council (n.d.) Coventry City Council: Public realm scheme. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 5. Coventry City Council (2014) Public Report. Cabinet Report. Public realm phase 3. [Document provided].
Ref. 6. CWLEP (2017) Sustainable Techniques for Refurbishment and Construction. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 26 August 2020].
Ref. 7. Coventry City Council (2015) Public Report. Cabinet Report. Public realm phase 3 extension (3a). [Document provided].
Ref. 2. Coventry City Council (2015) Major project improves area. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 3. Coventry City Council (n.d.) Gosford Street Coventry University. Completed improvement works. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 26 August 2020].
Ref. 4. Coventry City Council (n.d.) Coventry City Council: Public realm scheme. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 5. Coventry City Council (2014) Public Report. Cabinet Report. Public realm phase 3. [Document provided].
Ref. 6. CWLEP (2017) Sustainable Techniques for Refurbishment and Construction. Available at: Source link [Accessed: 26 August 2020].
Ref. 7. Coventry City Council (2015) Public Report. Cabinet Report. Public realm phase 3 extension (3a). [Document provided].
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/coventrycc/albums/72157664121971480/with/24746826980/
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/coventrycc/albums/72157664121971480/with/24746826980/
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/coventrycc/albums/72157664121971480/with/24746826980/
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/coventrycc/albums/72157664121971480/with/24746826980/