Urban Blue Spaces: Planning and Design for Water, Health and Well-Being pdf

Dr Simon Bell is a forester-turned-landscape architect. He is interested in aspects of the wider landscape, such as forests, rural and wild landscapes as well as the peri-urban zone. This includes planning and design aspects, forest landscape aesthetics, urban forestry, urban blue spaces, outdoor recreation and the health and well-being benefits of exposure to nature in such areas. Accessibility by people from a range of backgrounds to such landscapes has also been a feature of his research and practice.

Simon was educated in forestry at The University of Wales, Bangor (now Bangor University), landscape architecture at the University of Edinburgh and took his doctorate in landscape architecture at the Estonian University of Life Sciences where he is also Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture.

Before academia Simon worked for 20 years for the Forestry Commission, ending his time there as Chief Landscape Architect. He has worked all over the UK and also extensively on forestry design projects and as a trainer in Canada and the USA as well as Ireland, Finland and the Baltic States. When practicing privately as a landscape architect he worked on many forest landscape design plans for the Forestry Commission and for private forestry companies in Scotland. He worked on the regeneration of the Caledonian Forest in Glenfeshie for Glenfeshie Estate in the Cairngorms National Park and designing extensive new forests such as Victory wood in Kent, Heartwood Forest in Hertfordshire (also incorporating a native tree arboretum), Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Wood in Leicestershire and the First World War Commemorative woodland in Surrey all for the Woodland Trust.

He is a Professor in the Latvian University of Life Sciences as well as having been Visiting Professor at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. For several years has been a Visiting Professor at Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, China.

From 2012 to 2018 Simon was President of the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools (ECLAS). This body represents the interest of landscape architecture educators and researchers, holds a prestigious annual conference, presents awards for teaching and research and owns the Journal of Landscape Architecture.

Urban Blue Spaces: Planning and Design for Water, Health and Well-Being pdf by Simon Bell

Urban Blue Spaces: Planning and Design for Water, Health and Well-Being is a book written by Simon Bell that explores the importance of urban water features, such as rivers, lakes, and canals, for the health and well-being of city residents. The book provides insights and recommendations for planners and designers to maximize the benefits of these blue spaces.

The book begins by discussing the historical importance of water in urban development and the current challenges faced by cities in maintaining and enhancing their water features. It then delves into the benefits of blue spaces for physical and mental health, such as reducing stress, improving air quality, and promoting physical activity.

Bell provides case studies and examples of successful urban blue space projects from around the world, highlighting the key principles that contributed to their success. These principles include community involvement, multi-functional design, and integration with other urban infrastructure.

The book also explores the potential risks and challenges associated with urban water features, such as pollution and flooding, and provides recommendations for mitigating these risks through sustainable design and management practices.

Overall, Urban Blue Spaces is a comprehensive guide for planners and designers looking to integrate water features into urban environments in a way that promotes health and well-being. Its insights and recommendations are based on sound research and practical experience, making it a valuable resource for anyone involved in urban planning and design.

From an SEO perspective, the book's content can be optimized by using relevant keywords such as "urban water features", "blue spaces", "planning and design", "health and well-being", "sustainable design", and "community involvement". Additionally, incorporating relevant links to related resources and publications can also improve the book's search engine rankings.

In summary, Urban Blue Spaces: Planning and Design for Water, Health and Well-Being is a highly informative and practical guide for anyone interested in creating more livable and sustainable urban environments. Its insights and recommendations are based on years of research