Southwark Council celebrates Climate Action Week with a new micro park

17 November 2020

Southwark Council is starting work on a new parklet to celebrate Climate Action Week.

Parklets are extensions of the pavement, they provide space for people to stop, sit and rest. Parklets commonly host plants and may display public art, or offer space for bicycles.

The idea was sparked at the council’s recent Climate Conference, where more than one hundred residents and experts formed groups, and were invited to come up with ideas to help the council better address the Climate Emergency. An expert panel reviewed each idea and a borough wide parklet programme was selected.

The first will be introduced on Browning Street, where works will start imminently and more will follow across the borough in time.

Parklets that extend into the street, like this one, help to slow down traffic and make neighbourhoods safer. Over time, they can reduce motor traffic; making the area more accessible for walking and cycling, activities that are associated with improvements in both mental and physical health. Parklets also serve the local community by creating a shared space.

Cllr Johnson Situ, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Planning and Transport, said: “In Southwark, we are working together with the local community to tackle the Climate Crisis. The problem is bigger than any one of us and people here understand that we must all pull together.

“Our exciting new parklet scheme is the product of an idea that was brought to us by residents at our Climate Conference. This parklet is the first of many. They will help to draw even more people into our collective effort to be happier, healthier and give back to our planet.”

You can help tackle the Climate Emergency by commenting on the council’s suggested approach to reduce carbon and protect biodiversity in Southwark: southwark.gov.uk/climateconsultation

Page last updated: 18 November 2020