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Urban Pollinators is a practical research and writing agency. We help people work through complex and challenging issues about places and society. Urban Pollinators is led by Julian Dobson, working with leading thinkers and practitioners.

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  • Urban Crisis, Urban Hope: a policy agenda for UK cities

How much more evidence do we need to invest in green spaces?

September 10, 2020 by Julian

We know green spaces are good for us. The evidence is overwhelming. So why don’t we invest in what we know to be healthy and helpful, when we can find £522 million to subsidise people who want a meal out?  In case there’s any doubt about the evidence, earlier this year a team at Sheffield Hallam University […]

Filed Under: cities, green space, wellbeing Tagged With: austerity, evidence, institutions, parks

A critical hope is the foundation to #BuildBackBetter

June 25, 2020 by Julian

by Julian Dobson and Rowland Atkinson In the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, the hashtag #buildbackbetter became a rallying cry on social media for those who saw the need and opportunity to reconstruct our cities. Demands included closing streets to traffic to reduce pollution and create spaces for play; investing in renewable energy; creating affordable […]

Filed Under: cities, community, economy, public services Tagged With: book, food, green spaces, health, housing, local government, localism, urban policy

Space to Thrive: the benefits of parks and green spaces

February 11, 2020 by Julian

We all know parks and green spaces are good for us. One of the problems is that this is not always reflected in policy and decision-making. There always seem to be more pressing – or more desperate – priorities, particularly in circumstances where local government funding has been cut in half over the last decade. […]

Filed Under: cities, green space Tagged With: community, evidence, health, mental health, parks

Beyond ‘green is good for you’

January 22, 2019 by Julian

A while ago a joiner was doing some work in our flat, and asked me what I did for a living. I explained that among other things, I’m working on a research project about how green spaces enhance our wellbeing.  Of course they do, he snorted. Everybody knows that. His tone suggested it was ridiculous […]

Filed Under: cities, community, green space, wellbeing Tagged With: inequality, nature, parks, Sheffield

Why diggers are better than levellers

February 12, 2018 by Julian

God, so the saying goes, helps those who helps themselves. If you’re not of a godly persuasion, you might say you make your own luck. Action brings its own rewards. These are truisms that have filtered their way into philosophy and social policy, but it’s worth stepping back and doing a bit of de-filtering. I […]

Filed Under: cities, community, regeneration Tagged With: Big Local, community development, Lincoln, Local Trust, Netherton, self-help, Telford

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