This research project won an Award for Research Excellence in 2023 in the Student Award category. Each year the RTPI Awards for Research Excellence recognise and celebrate leading spatial planning research from RTPI-accredited planning schools and RTPI members.
Key takeaways:
- The Fenland Open Space Index (FOSI) is a novel tool designed to evaluate the quality of public urban green spaces in Fenland market towns in Eastern England.
- It considers factors such as accessibility, nature, infrastructure, and amenities to quantify the quality of green spaces.
- FOSI aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of spaces to inform decision-making and improve the quality of life for residents.
- The evaluation can identify areas that need improvement and can guide future development plans to ensure adequate and suitable green spaces.
- The FOSI assessment can also be used to compare different market towns and identify best practices in providing quality urban green spaces.
What our judges thought:
“Creating a tool to assess the quality of public green spaces could help ensure these spaces are usable and appropriate for local residents’ needs. This is an advanced piece of work, and the impact it could have on delivery of places - not just spaces - for residents could be huge.”
“The measurable criteria would be a new element to consider in planning, so this research could create real change in the planning industry.”
“A thoroughly accomplished treatment linking research philosophy and practical planning with an excellent communications approach.”
Full reference
Ahmadpoor, N. and Brooke, D. (2024) ‘Evaluating Public Urban Green Spaces Using an Open Space Index: A Case in Fenland Market Towns, East of England.’ Preprint article. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4950970 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4950970
NOTE: Findings and recommendations reflect the views of the researchers at the time of writing and are not necessarily the views of the RTPI