The streetscene and other parts of the environment impact easily on each other. Many of the flytipping, waste and grime issues that spoil our local environments also damage the wider environment.

Action to improve these issues often has beneficial side-effects for the wider environment, whilst action to improve the natural environment can make our streets and public spaces more pleasant and attractive places.

This document identifies good practice in improving local neighbourhoods and environments and focuses on key policy and strategy to tackle environmental issues.

Cleaner, greener environments can support and achieve objectives on health, employment, transport, education etc. Eg: if parks are cleaner, greener and safer, more children will use them, increase their social networks and become fitter.

If streets are safer and greener, people will be more likely to cycle and walk, reducing illness and obesity associated with inactive lifestyles. A cleaner well-used area creates a perception that it is cared-for and safe and helps discourage anti-social behaviour and serious crime. They also encourage investment and economic development, support regeneration and help areas to thrive, providing more local jobs and facilities.

The method involves case studies identifying best practice where Local Authorities have taken the lead to improve liveability and turned Streetscene ideas in to action, making policy and strategy changes, empowering the community to improve the local environment and delivering innovative solutions.

Councils can support the community and enlist their help by helping them be more involved, feel ownership for their neighbourhood and responsibility for keeping it free of litter, waste and other problems. Many councils are now working with the community to change attitudes and create a more responsible and caring attitude towards the local environment.

Across the UK councils are already leading the way and improving local neighbourhoods and environments. Our vision for 2010 shows an ideal but achievable local environment.

Government has recently given councils additional powers to enforce against environmental crime. Innovative ways of working and improved partnerships between the council, local agencies and the community can help all councils to achieve what the best are already demonstrating.

The 2010 vision is to create cleaner, greener and safer neighbourhoods.

Local Government Association
info@lga.gov.uk

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LGA

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Environmental sustainability

Noise, Waste management and recycling