Why It Matters Water Proximity (Blue Space)
Summary
We have given every postcode area an ‘Overall Water Proximity Score’ (OWPS) that assigns the area a value based on its proximity to a body of water (be it a lake, canal, or river) and the interactive quality of that waterbody.
Definition
This set of analyses is based on each postcode’s proximity to a water body, such as lake, reservoir, river, pond or canal, as well as the interactive and recreational quality of that waterbody. The interactive and recreational quality of a waterbody takes into account a number of factors such as whether or not it is part of a green space or open space, if it offers water-based activities such as rowing or fishing, and their visual quality (such as having the Thames in view). Urban infrastructure such as water treatment plants and artistic installations featuring water are excluded from our analysis.
The Water Proximity Score of a postcode, expressed as a numerical value out of (?), is calculated by weighing the postcode’s walking distance (in metres) to a blue space (or multiple blue spaces) and the interactive quality of those identified blue spaces.
| Dataset | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Postcode Overall Water Proximity Score | This is your postcode’s Overall Water Proximity Score. This is a composite indicator that weights the postcode’s walking distance from a water body (or multiple, if more than one is identified), and the interactive quality of that waterbody to produce a score which is highest in instances where a postcode has access to multiple bodies of water that are significant visual amenities and/or pastime destinations. Lower scores would represent a lack of proximity to blue space or the blue space that is arguably accessible is of limited amenity value. |
| Average Borough OWPS | This is the London-wide mean OWPS. |
Why the metric matters from a commercial inhabitant’s perspective
The commercial impact of being situated near water is still less clear cut than green space. The majority of research concerning the effect of various types of blue space access is focussed on its impact on property values. The general position is that blue space assess is a determinant of property value that produces a premium, especially where it is a limited amenity (i.e. in cities where blue space is limited). The exception to this rule is where blue space poses a risk, such as when it increases a property’s flood risk profile. Perhaps there is some compelling evidence regarding the economic uplift blue space environments provide based on behavioural choice research.
According to Natural England in the UK, each year, there are over 250 million individual visits to the coast and a 180 million to other aquatic environments such as rivers, canals and lakes, during which people pay a premium to consume goods and services that are otherwise accessible elsewhere at a lower price. So far as we’re concerned, these findings are only indicative that other features of these environments, such as their remoteness or lack of human construction, rather than the presence of blue space, may be the more likely cause of people’s willingness to a pay premium.
Why the metric matters from a residential inhabitant’s perspective
Plainly, properties in attractive settings will have an added value over similar, less favourably located houses. There is a good body of evidence to prove this and a good body of evidence that shows that blue space helps create an attractive setting. Less obviously, there is evidence to show that, blue space is of strategic importance for the quality of life of an urbanised society like London.
Besides important environmental benefits blue space provides in relation to air and water purification, wind and noise filtering, or microclimate stabilisation, blue space also provides social and psychological services, which are of crucial significance for the liveability wellbeing of Londoners. Proximity to blue space has been shown to help reduce stress, enhance contemplativeness and provide a sense of peacefulness and tranquillity. There is also evidence to show that blue space serves a physiologically restorative function. Where blue space becomes an interesting consideration is that it can serve as a hard boundary that prevents development from changing the nature of a neighbourhood.
One of many beautiful blue spaces in London’s St James’ Park (Photograph Gilly Berlin, Wikimedia Commons)
Commentary
Since the 1970s, urban waterfronts have become more central to urban renewal and regeneration. Much of London’s waterfront has been redeveloped to represent the city’s globally orientated and economically-focused personality. The most notable of such development is arguably that which occurred in Docklands: it was redeveloped into a post industrial, modern mixed-use space.
Many see it as the beginning of a trend which is still ongoing and has seen London’s watersides areas undergo quite a transformation. It is fair to say that large sections of land proximate to London’s canals, lakes and rivers have been, or are in the process of being, redeveloped at a faster rate as compared to the normal development rate in London.
Trivia & History
The earliest forms of waterfront development occurred as various societies began to utilise waterborne transit. This meant that up until about 50-80 years ago, waterfront urban development largely occurred where physical relief was conducive to harbourage and shelter. The Roman settlement of Londinium, that was later to become London, was established at the last bridgeable point on the River Thames.