As the world’s population continues to grow at a vast rate, the pressure on urban spaces has never been greater. Landscape architects have long recognised the multiple benefits of successfully integrated green spaces. There is also strong evidence to show that local communities with access to these spaces have better health and wellbeing and are more socially connected.

Where they already exist, it is a common misconception that urban green spaces will fend for themselves with frequent interventions from a well-meaning, environmentally aware, time-rich public. In reality, without sufficient management and investment, they will literally fall by the wayside, becoming inaccessible and undesirable.

In the UK, it is still commonplace for the implementation of designed green spaces within development proposals to be compromised to save money. As early as the planning stage, it is often easier to take the view that they are an optional extra, rather than an essential component of modern developments in an increasingly urbanised and hard-edged environment.

Our present planning, funding and design systems do not appear to value these much needed environmental oases. But more targeted investment in this area would bring untold rewards. On the one hand, city dwellers would benefit from a significantly improved natural environment in which to live and work. On the other, developers would capitalise on increased revenue from plots where green space is at a premium.

The inconvenient truth of this matter is that without investment, sustainable, urban green spaces will remain a wistful utopia. What is needed if we are to progress the status quo is a commitment from all those involved to protect and manage our open spaces.

Getting it right from the outset, when planning applications are still being sought, will help ensure urban developments aren’t simply swaths of concrete with a sprinkling of green “garnish”. From designers proposing innovative solutions, to developers investing in and managing their green spaces, it is possible to visualise a situation where a new synchronicity is achieved.

Rather than call for government intervention, this seems to be the perfect opportunity for industry to take the lead and demonstrate its commitment to the betterment of our urban environments. A commitment on the part of developers to employ the services of planning consultants at an early stage is just one way of doing this.

Connecting city dwellers with green spaces is critical, not only for contact with nature, but also the integration of biodiversity. While it remains difficult to place a value on biodiversity in urban and rural areas, ecological economist, Robert Constanza, has estimated that the annual net worth of the biosphere is $33tn (£21tn), a figure greater than the annual gross national products (GNP) of all the world’s economies combined. In a paper published in Nature in 1997, he argued that investing in intact ecosystems yields returns of 100 to one. Biodiversity Action Plans, produced by relevant stakeholders such as local wildlife trusts and local authorities, play an important role as they assess the conservation status within specified ecosystems and create targets for conservation and restoration.

By working together, professionals in all areas will go a long way to ensuring that green spaces are incorporated creatively and sustainably in the best interests of communities and their local environments. By working together in this way, the future of our urban developments and their open spaces will be brighter and greener for all.

Jaquelin C Fisher is chairman of independent environmental planning consultancy, JFA Limited

The ecologist at JFA Environmental Planning doesn’t have a regular working day but they all start early with feeding his three chickens

I have been an ecologist at JFA Environmental Planning for almost two years. JFA is a medium sized company, based in London. It has recently expanded into Kent and Sussex and I currently work out of the Sussex office in Haywards Heath. This area was chosen because of its close proximity to the sites owned by some of our biggest clients.

Clarifying ‘my working day’ isn’t all that easy but that’s what I love about my job; no day is the same. As an ecologist you have to be flexible to the needs of your client, whether it be meeting a sub-contractor on site at 7.30am for a ‘toolbox talk’ or carrying out a bat survey in the dead of night.

My average day, however, usually starts with a rude awakening by my three girls Pingu, Audrey and Dipper….my chickens. After they’ve been satisfied with a handful of corn, I head to the office for 8.30am, to check my emails and plan for the day ahead.

My most recent work has been carrying out and compiling an ecological assessment for a large residential development in Haywards Heath to support a planning application that is due for submission. Survey work can be season dependent; therefore it is essential that ecological considerations are taken into account at an early planning stage to ensure timelines are adhered to without constraint.

My day is broken up by monitoring visits to site. Regular monitoring ensures that the client adheres to their conditions of planning and legislation and has immediate advice on the best course of action should an ecological issue arise.

Ecologists sometimes receive a bad press in the construction world and can be used as scapegoats if works fall behind schedule.  However, if ecological constraints are taken into consideration at an early stage it needn’t be a hindrance. Through sensitive site planning ecological constraints can often be alleviated by incorporating a species/habitat into the site design benefitting both the client and biodiversity.

One of the benefits of my work is the diversity of people I get to meet and liaise with. As an ecologist I get to work with everyone from sub-contractors to technical staff to local community organisations to help find a solution to fit everyone’s needs.

My typical day will begin to wrap up around 4.30pm so I can head home to feast on some fresh eggs before heading off to football training.

Adam Earl is an ecologist at JFA Environmental Planning.