John Little
15 Oct -Public Spaces Theatre / 2pm – 2:45pm
Benefits of Brownfields: Bringing these into new schemes
Existing brownfield sites are some of the most important places in our landscape, and there are ways to design these materials and structures back into new landscapes to reap the biodiversity benefits. Expert John Little shares how to recreate the habitats found on brownfield sites – and in an aesthetic way that keeps the local community and clients on side.
BIO
John argues against long standing protocol within public space and horticulture.
He suggests structural complexity and topography is overlooked in landscape design and is more important than plant choice for driving biodiversity. Since starting the Grass Roof Company in 1998 he has designed and built over 400 small green-roof buildings, combining deep biodiverse green-roofs with walls of breeding and hibernation space.
He argues that we must invest in gardeners rather than more infrastructure. After 18 years caring for the greenspace on a social housing estate (Clapton Park) in London he has written a sustainable grounds maintenance contract that does just that.
He questions our obsession with specifying topsoil in all new projects, especially on highways and new developments. Habitat trials at his home include a garden designed with spoil from the local road widening scheme and industrial and construction waste.
In 2008 John and colleagues Dan Monck and Duncan Kramer launched a range of small green roof shelters based on shipping containers and designed portable structures including bike and bin storage. greenroofshelters.co.uk
He has just set up a ‘not for profits’ to help train and fund creative gardeners to work in public space.
John can be contacted on Instagram @grassroofco
