Introduction

This chapter analyses how the policies and activities of municipal authorities were influenced by the private landowners from whom the London County Council purchased and the borough councils leased green space. In London, as in other cities in the UK, there is an ongoing conflict between built and natural environments, and the provision of public green space has played an important role in urbanisation. As Patricia Garside points out, in London, green space remains ‘a highly valued, contested and strictly limited urban resource –– a flash point, therefore, where requirements for public services, housing and recreation’ collide. There is a huge variety of green space in London. Many scholars see the relationship between nature and culture as controversial. ‘Greening’ refers to policies aimed at improving the quality of the environment by providing and preserving green space. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.