Nine in ten people want greener neighbourhoods, new research shows

Green space, clean air and community lead the wish list for new homes, with the surrounding landscape valued above how buildings look.

Maritime Streets, Barrow-in-Furness, by Farrer Huxley, is an award-winning regeneration project recognised by the Landscape Institute. Through high-quality public realm and community-led design, it transformed a neglected neighbourhood, restored local pride, enhanced wellbeing and reconnected residents with their place. Image: Farrer Huxley © 2017 Sarel Jansen.

New national polling commissioned by the Landscape Institute (LI) and conducted by Ipsos has found there to be overwhelming public interest in greener, better-connected and better-planned housing developments across the UK. The findings highlight strong public support for a whole-place approach to development, with landscape seen as integral to what people value, rather than an afterthought once buildings and roads have been planned.

Key findings from the first phase of the Landscape Institute’s research show:

• 90% of respondents say green features between buildings and pavements are important,
• 89% say access to communal green spaces matters when choosing a home,
• 83% say nature conservation is important in housing development,
• 78% value features that help to better manage rainwater.

These first-phase findings will inform conversations across the built environment sector, including at UKREiiF 2026, at a time where there is growing recognition that landscape, transport, place quality and climate resilience must be considered together from the outset of development. The findings highlight the vital role that landscape expertise plays in delivering multiple benefits from built development to supporting people to championing place and nature.

The results clearly indicate that landscape cannot be treated as an optional extra in the planning and construction of new developments. Access to communal green space and green features within streets both ranked higher in the polling than architectural design when people were asked to consider what is essential in new housing. The public’s response to the poll points towards the need for the housing developments of the future to provide benefits in terms of health, community and the environment.

When asked about the value of communal green space, respondents highlighted the importance of biodiversity, air quality, recreation and community connection. At the same time, people placed these priorities alongside transport, walkability and overall layout, showing strong support for a whole-place, landscape-led approach to development. The research findings reinforced that landscape is a critical component of places that work well for all.

Carolin Göhler FLI, President of the Landscape Institute, comments:
“The findings of this public poll underline that placing landscape at the forefront of any development is a necessity for creating places that people want and can thrive in. Landscape is the foundation of healthy nature, thriving communities and long-term economic and environmental resilience. To build not only the quantity but also the quality of places that people deserve today, the poll confirms that a shift in thinking is needed to consider the whole area and the natural system in which a development is taking place.

“A ‘landscape-first approach’ to development delivers places with real value. Through consideration of the existing landscape and features, integration of nature into planning and fostering community involvement, a landscape-led development, driven by chartered landscape architects, creates places that benefit both people and the planet.”

The research reinforces the Landscape Institute’s long-term vision of enriching, resilient landscapes where people and nature flourish. Through the art and science of landscape design, planning and management, landscape professionals connect people, place and nature and deliver wellbeing, sustainability and delight alongside economic benefits. Carefully considered housing design that is grounded in an understanding of landscape enhances biodiversity, supports climate change mitigation and carbon sequestration, improves flood resilience and supports community development, creating places people want to live.

As the UK continues to plan for new homes and infrastructure, the findings highlight a clear route to building public confidence in growth. People in the UK are increasingly calling for developments that are greener, better connected and better planned, and the evidence shows that landscape-led development helps deliver exactly that.

Adam White FLI PPLI is a Past President of the Landscape Institute and current Convenor of the Landscape Institute College of Fellows. Click here to read more stories from the Landscape Institute