Residents on the Waterworks Estate in inner city Birmingham realised that the uninviting patches of ground around the estate could instead be attractive communal places. Residents have been working with Groundwork West Midlands and delivered their own masterplan for a ‘garden estate’.

Each phase takes a fresh approach to environmental action. Previous ones have addressed mitigation against climate change but the latest phase, Parker Street food garden, shows the value of urban green infrastructure in adaptation. A group of residents act as ambassadors to explain why public space will be needed for food growing in the future, and why the site needs to become more of a cool and leafy retreat, especially for elderly residents, during hot summer weather.

Groundwork landscape architects delivered the food garden project in partnership with the Birmingham South West Group, the housing department, police and local councillors. The residents specified the smart finish of an urban landscape, rather than a messy allotment look.