Why do we need The CityGreen Lab?
Because there must be a better way of providing urban greenspace than relying on 'how we've always done things'.
We don't fully optimise the opportunities presented by our existing urban greenspace...and
Current demands of our urban parks exceed what they can realistically deliver...and
We can ill-afford to provide the quantity of parks “calculated” to the quality that the community expects... and
Other urban greenspace is often overlooked because it doesn't meet the criteria or standard expected of parks.
How can The CityGreen Lab help?
Practicing professionals are time-poor, especially when it comes to undertaking research and keeping up to date with best practice and innovation.
Contributing broader knowledge, expertise and experience in providing (planning, designing, managing) urban greenspace therefore helps others validate and shape solutions to local problems.
The CityGreen Lab Platform
The CityGreen Lab is founded upon:
- Practical Experience in greenspace provision and management (plan, design, operation and maintenance)
- Empirical and Grounded Research (through Policy analysis, Case studies, Interviews, Ethnography, Statistical analysis, Archival/Document analysis, Database searches)
- Partnerships (government, professionals, academics)
What is The CityGreen Lab?
The City Green Lab is a virtual place to explore, showcase, influence and inspire better greenspace provision in our cities.
Its purpose is to explain and explore issues concerning urban greenspace provision and why we need to re-think our approach to inform our future work.
It aims to highlight the importance of, challenges and opportunities for providing better urban greenspaces that contribute to sustainable, happy, healthy and safe communities through experience and insight.
And - we now offer expertise on a consultancy basis, to help others provide effective urban greenspace (see our "Services" page).
Is The CityGreen Lab for you?
The content is intended for professional planners, landscape architects and urban designers working with or for all levels of government, not-for-profit organisations, and anyone else who is passionate about realising better urban greenspaces for their community.
Background of The CityGreen Lab
Established 2019
The CityGreen Lab was founded in early 2019 by Chris Boulton and established online on 27 March 2019 and evolved as The CityGreen Lab Pty Ltd in February 2021.
Dr Chris Boulton
Based on Australia's Gold Coast, my research is examining the factors that shape urban greenspace provision, in pursuit of a better approach.
An Experienced Greenspace Manager
My expertise is municipal urban greenspace management, landscape architecture, environmental planning and crime prevention, under-girded by 30 years of professional practice. I kicked it all off training as a landscape architect with national and global practices. Then, drawn by the opportunity and satisfaction of supporting local communities to develop with limited resources, I invested the next 15 years of my career in local government, almost 10 of those were in senior management role.
A Passionate Professional
Australia’s Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) awarded me an honorary Fellowship in 2012 in recognition of my commitment to the profession and outstanding leadership within local (municipal) government serving as AILA Qld State President (2009-2011). The Australian Government awarded me an Endeavour Research Fellowship (2017-2018), to undertake research in Canada, as part of my doctoral work using comparative case studies as grounded research.
An Experienced Leader
I am recognised as a leader by my peers, offering inspiration and insight for individuals and learning communities through research and education about the values, challenges and opportunities for supporting healthy cities. Amongst my colleagues, I am known for my strong sense of personal responsibility, my strength as an incubator - pondering ideas and being inquisitive, as well as my commitment to service - I love to help!