Urban places

We will address unequal access to nature, beauty and history.

It’s been a fantastic year for our urban work as we move from strength to strength, bringing the benefits of nature, history and beauty to towns and cities. The work continues to be varied, innovative and partnership-led, delivering on everything from blossom trees to historic bath houses to parks on Victorian viaducts.

Duncan Laird, Head of Urban Places

Our work in urban areas demonstrates our commitment to tackle the crisis facing nature, health and heritage in cities.

Our Performance

We are aiming to have 20 green corridors by 2030 – areas of outdoor public space that link nature-rich parts of the city. These are long-term projects that will take time to implement but we have identified 15 sites and are developing partnerships and working with local people to create these spaces.

In Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, a green corridor will bring the health benefits associated with the natural environment to disadvantaged communities along the River Tyne. The partnership with Gateshead Council has secured Shared Prosperity Funding (2023–25) to help deliver the shared vision.

In London, we’ve been working collaboratively with partners across the boroughs of Merton, Wandsworth and Sutton to enhance the green corridor along the Wandle River. This will create better connections between green spaces and nature-based solutions to climate change, and it will support biodiversity.

How we are preserving green space and

protecting structures in cities

We are championing local people developing heritage and green spaces in their neighbourhoods.

London

The Stoneford Community Garden in East Dagenham opened hosting arts and crafts and outdoor play activities. Residents are helping us to look after the garden.
The Greening Evelyn project is a collaboration with community groups and partners in Lewisham, showing how Evelyn Ward can create new green space, alleviate pressure on its existing parks and bring about lasting environmental improvement.
At Morden, we began work to restore Merton Priory wall with the possibility of creating a park alongside it.

Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester

In 2021, we began work to create a freely accessible ‘sky park’ in Manchester by reclaiming this Victorian viaduct. The vision was to create a space that respects the listed structure, celebrates nature and the history of the viaduct and supports existing plans for the city. It will connect to other green spaces and cultural attractions in south Manchester.

Since July 2022, we’ve welcomed over 20,000 visitors, including community groups, residents and tourists.

In the first five months, we’ve learnt that:

98% of people want to see it open permanently.

95% of visitors had an excellent or very good experience.

73% said it made them feel part of Manchester and its heritage.

66% of people felt better for spending time in nature.

67% of visitors said that the viaduct was their main reason for visiting Manchester.

50% of visitors did not have National Trust membership.

I felt really proud to see this semi-derelict piece of architecture becoming something wonderful. I have passed it for years on the tram, thinking “what if...”.

- Visitor, resident, non-Trust member

A relaxing haven for people to escape the hustle and bustle.

- Visitor

This is as much about Greater Manchester as it is about Castlefield, because Castlefield is for everyone and the amenity and wellbeing the viaduct will provide is not just for residents but for those who come here to work, play and explore. For Castlefield itself, it will help to protect in perpetuity the mighty listed viaduct and offers another key draw for people to visit.

- Calum McGowan, Chair, Castlefield Forum

Birmingham

Once known as the town ringed by blossom, Birmingham has lost 85% of its orchards since the Industrial Revolution. Working in partnership with National Express West Midlands and local communities, we’ve planted hundreds of fruit trees at 180 locations. This will help with biodiversity, food production and public health. We also installed pop-up blossom gardens across city-centre locations as part of the Commonwealth Games.

At Moseley Road Baths, we are leading a partnership coalition to deliver phase one of the £32.5 million capital redevelopment project, funded by the Levelling Up Fund, Birmingham City Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and others.

Looking ahead

We will continue to work towards our target of creating 20 green corridors by 2030, making nature easier for people to reach.

We will listen to public feedback about Castlefield Viaduct and explore its possibilities, operating the site until September 2024. We will share what we’ve learnt with similar projects and will keep supporting people’s enjoyment of nature, history and beauty in urban areas.