Gainsborough Square

Gainsborough Square wild flowers - credit to Max McClure, Bristol City Council
Area characterisation: 

The site is located in Lockleaze near the M32 and the historic parkland estate Stoke Park. The original square was built post war. The square is steep sloping and suffers from strong winds.

Slideshow:

Gainsborough Square wild flowers - credit to Max McClure, Bristol City Council New community building -credit to Max McClure, Bristol City Council New sheltered platform - credit to Max McClure, Bristol City Council The creation of new footpaths in progress - credit to Max McClure, Bristol City Council
Objective: 

To improve the public realm of a neglected and poorly accessible square.

Actions: 

Gainsborough square was originally a neglected green area with a single foot path which was poorly designed, meaning it was inaccessible to disabled users. This was a particular issue as there is sheltered accommodation for disabled adults nearby. Bristol City Council worked with the community to create a vison document which led to the regeneration plan for the square.

To improve the public realm, new pathways were constructed across the square and the existing children’s play area and football pitch were extended. The original trees were maintained and 60 new trees were planted to shelter the square from the wind. A new wildflower meadow was also created with 100,000 bulbs being planted and a food growing space was created within the square for community growing projects.  The council worked with the local children to design a sheltered platform and seating area within the park, adjacent to the bus stop. To make the square wheelchair accessible, new wider and lower kerbs were created and barriers were removed. The one-way traffic flow around the square was retained to ensure safety for public.

The rejuvenated square is maintained by the Highway Authority and the council’s parks maintenance team.

Potential impacts/benefits: 

Potential impacts/ benefits

Challenges addressed

Enhancing sustainable urbanisation

Restoring ecosystems and their functions

Developing climate change mitigation

Developing climate change adaptation

Green Space management and enhancing urban biodiversity

· Reduce wind speed

· Increase accessibility to green open spaces

· Changing image of the urban environment

· Increase biodiversity

· Reducing temperature at meso or micro scale

Public Health and Wellbeing

· Increase well being

· Increase social interaction

· Increased cultural richness and biodiversity

Participatory Planning and Governance

· Increase communitie’s sense of ownership

· Social inclusion
NBS benefits 
  • Reducing temperature at meso or micro scale
  • Increase Biodiversity
  • Increased cultural richness and biodiversity
  • Changing image of the urban environment
  • Increase accessibility to green open spaces
  • Increase communities’ sense of ownership
  • Increase social interaction
  • Increase well-being
  • Reducing wind speed
  • Social inclusion
Transferability of the result: 

Can be used in cities with neglected green spaces and a need to improve the public realm.

Lessons learned: 

It is important to keep engagement with stakeholders and communities throughout long term projects.

Financing: 

Total cost was £2.5 million. Funding came from Bristol City Council and the LEP West of England Revolving Infrastructure Fund (RIF).

Contacts: 

info@wenp.org.uk