Social interaction, inclusion and community cohesion

Green infrastructure (GI) can help bring people together, engaging individuals from different social groupings that may not normally interact. Green space offers possibilities: increasing social activity, improving community cohesion, developing local attachment and lowering crime levels, particularly in deprived communities (Bell et al., 2008; Weldon et al., 2007). Certain groups in society are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion: people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, young people, older people and those at an economic disadvantage; for these groups, the potential that green space has for enhancing social cohesion is especially pertinent.