Green belt

Tochal from Modarres Expressway

Adelaide CBD February 2020

City of York Green Belt

Streetmap of Adelaide and North Adelaide

Ottawagreenbelt.PNG

Green belt is a term used in urban planning and environmental policy to refer to an area of land surrounding a city or town where development is strictly controlled. The primary purpose of a green belt is to limit urban sprawl by keeping areas permanently open, thereby ensuring that urban areas are compact, efficient, and sustainable. Green belts are a critical component of sustainable development strategies, aiming to protect the natural environment, provide recreational areas for residents, and maintain the character of rural communities adjacent to urban areas.

History

The concept of the green belt originated in the United Kingdom in the early 20th century. The idea was first proposed by Ebenezer Howard, the founder of the Garden City Movement, as a way to create towns that were self-contained communities surrounded by "permanent belts of agricultural land". The first green belt was established around London in 1938, and the policy was later formalized in the Town and Country Planning Act of 1947. Since then, many countries around the world have adopted similar policies to control urban growth and protect natural and semi-natural areas from development.

Purpose and Benefits

The primary goal of a green belt is to prevent urban sprawl by restricting the outward expansion of towns and cities. This is achieved through planning regulations that prohibit or strictly control development within the designated green belt area. The benefits of green belts include:

• Conservation of the countryside and natural habitats
• Reduction of air and water pollution
• Provision of recreational areas and green spaces for urban residents
• Maintenance of the character and identity of rural communities
• Encouragement of urban regeneration by focusing development within existing urban areas

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite their benefits, green belts face several challenges and criticisms. One of the main issues is the pressure for housing and development, especially in areas with growing populations. Critics argue that green belts can lead to higher housing prices within the urban area they surround by limiting the land available for development. There is also concern that green belts may simply push development further out, leading to the creation of "leapfrog" developments beyond the green belt, which can result in longer commutes and increased traffic congestion.

Examples

Many countries have implemented green belt policies with varying degrees of success. Some notable examples include:

• The London Green Belt in the United Kingdom, which surrounds London and covers parts of several counties
• The Ontario Greenbelt in Canada, which protects agricultural and environmentally sensitive lands around the Greater Toronto Area
• The Seoul Greenbelt in South Korea, established to control the rapid expansion of Seoul and preserve forested areas

Future Directions

The future of green belts depends on finding a balance between the need for urban expansion and the benefits of restricting development. This may involve re-evaluating the boundaries of green belts, introducing more flexible planning policies, or focusing on brownfield development within urban areas. As cities continue to grow, the role of green belts in shaping sustainable urban futures remains a critical area of debate and innovation in urban planning.