EVolution is a news, intelligence and analysis service dedicated to the emerging business of supporting electric and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.

Making parklets possible

Climate change charity Possible is giving people tools to campaign for parklets in their localities

Mark Moran
10 October 2022
The Parklet Plotter

 

Parklets show what cities could look like if they were designed for the needs of the people who live in them rather than the car, argues climate change charity Possible.

The charity enables people to organise local actions to inspire a more ambitious approach at every level of society. Founded as 10:10 Action in 2009, the organisation began by campaigning for a 10% reduction in carbon emissions in 2010. It has since broadened its approach to promote a range of projects focussed on carbon reduction and renewable energy.

In 2021, the charity launched Car Free Cities, a campaign seeking to address car dominance in four UK cities: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and London. The campaign aims to help local communities reimagine their own neighbourhoods where car dependency is a thing of the past; and to co-design and deliver practical grassroots solutions that reduce motor traffic dominance.

To mark Car Free Day 2022, Possible’s Car Free Cities team created pop-up parklets in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and London to show alternative uses for parking spaces.

Possible states: “A parklet is a reclaimed parking space that has been transformed into a space that everyone can enjoy. It can be a place to rest and relax, or play and socialise. It can bring communities together, providing much-needed outdoor green space. The possibilities are endless.”

The charity’s vision of a “car free city” is of a place free of the dangers, pollution, and emissions caused by mass private car ownership. However, is would not be a city with no cars at all. Possible says many people, including disabled people, cannot get around without a car, and the charity’s efforts to reduce the number of cars in cities hopes to make their lives easier.

Possible has devised a design tool for people to create their own parklet and the Parklet Plotter, an interactive map that helps people learn more about the areas they live in. The plotter takes account of communities that have the least access to green space and areas that experience high levels of social deprivation.

“Local residents must be actively involved and engaged in the process of reclaiming and reimagining the streets they live in,” the campaign says. “Therefore, councils across the country must establish a simple process that lets residents create their own permanent community parklets.”

Possible says: “In a world recovering from a global health crisis whilst also tackling the climate crisis; green space, and access to it, has never been more important. Green spaces help clean our air and cool us down. Being outside in nature fosters happiness and social connection, and can improve our health and wellbeing. But not everyone has the same access to adequate green space.”

Possible encourages people to contact their local councillors to demonstrate how streets can be improved by converting parking spaces into parklets. Possible is calling for councils to set up a simple process that allows residents transform their streets.
www.wearepossible.org

Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
View all Vacancies
 
Search
 
 
 

TransportXtra is part of Landor LINKS

© 2024 TransportXtra | Landor LINKS Ltd | All Rights Reserved

Subscriptions, Magazines & Online Access Enquires
[Frequently Asked Questions]
Email: subs.ltt@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7959

Shop & Accounts Enquires
Email: accounts@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7855

Advertising Sales & Recruitment Enquires
Email: daniel@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7861

Events & Conference Enquires
Email: conferences@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7865

Press Releases & Editorial Enquires
Email: info@transportxtra.com | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7875

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Advertise

Web design london by Brainiac Media 2020