SDG #11 Sustainable cities — Always room for more trees

This article is part of a series exploring how everyday citizens can support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally through collective action.

The green city

Green would probably not be the word that first comes to your mind when you think of London, even though it has a strong claim to the word. Since 2019, London is officially the world’s first National Park city, and it is also the greenest major city in Europe. Parks are probably my favourite things in London, and once you discover them, you want to go back to all of them, depending on what you are looking for. St James Park to show all those squirrels to your friends visiting, Victoria Park for the cutest Sunday market, Holland Park for feeling like you are in a forest or in Japan, and so on and so on. That’s even before you mention the lesser known parks in South London; my favourite is just ten minutes away from home, amazingly close to go for a run or lie in the grass with a good book.

Green spaces are known to boost wellbeing: hospital patients recover faster if they are surrounded by green spaces or even houseplants. Some case studies show reduced violent crime rates in communities where more green spaces were added. Creating more safe, accessible, green public spaces in cities is one of the goals of the 11th UN SDG, especially as urbanisation is still on the rise globally. According to the UN, in 2018, 4.2 billion people, more than half of the world’s population, lived in cities. By 2050, this is expected to rise to 6.5 billion.

From secret raves to fruit trees

Parks have not been always public; many of them were the privilege of wealthy people. We need to go back 180 years in history to find the first ever public park in the UK, the Derby Arboretum, opened by Joseph Strutt in 1840. He was a wealthy mill owner in the middle of the Industrial Revolution who wanted to create a space for relaxation for his textile workers. Apparently his initiative served as an example for several other parks; even New York’s Central Park was inspired by his idea (source).

Today new parks are still popping up in the city and, while not the size of Hyde Park, they do make a difference in the lives of local communities. I came across a new project two years ago led by Urban Growth, who had gained funding to transform an empty patch of land into an orchard in the middle of Brixton. With a friend of mine I signed up to one of their Saturday volunteer sessions. When we arrived they were in the middle of creating some protective fences for the already planted young fruit trees. I never imagined that woodwork could be so rewarding and exciting, especially once you manage to acquire the right technique and not break your saw (again).

Despite its previously plain appearance, the park has a story that could be straight out of a novel. Underneath, there used to be a nuclear bunker after World War II to shelter key council staff, making sure that they could carry on the business of government. After the collapse of the Soviet Union the bunkers were used to hold underground raves, which had to come to an end once the council decided to fill it in.

Returning to the park

I have a friend whose favourite quote is that ‘The greatest deed is to plant a tree knowing that you will not enjoy its shades’. Before you erect a sculpture in my honour, I need to confess that I have enjoyed its shades since then. The park is still tended by Urban Growth and its volunteers, and I recently decided to return to the spot and see what the orchard has become.

As the above picture shows, the fruit trees have grown so much that our sturdy fences are probably not needed anymore. They have also started bearing fruits, to the joy of the locals who can enjoy hanging out in the garden and have some apples or cherries at the same time. However, the work is never done; this time we have done some mulching, something I have never even heard of, let alone done. There is always someone knowledgeable at the session from the organisation, so by the end of it you have also learnt some proper gardening skills.

How could you get involved?

Urban Growth is very welcoming towards new volunteers, and they operate two sites, where you can join their teams. The Brixton Orchard holds its volunteer days every Thursday from 1–3 pm, while their Greenwich based Jetty has its regular sessions on Saturdays from 10 am. You can sign up at Eventbrite, and put those green fingers to good use!