Professional/ShortCourse Introduction to Urban Greening

About

The Introduction to Urban Greening CPD course supports professionals in addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change and poor population health by developing an understanding of how green infrastructure can be integrated into urban environments. It introduces participants to the principles, functions and applications of green infrastructure, exploring what it is, where it should be applied and how to use it effectively in real-world planning and design contexts. The course starts by introducing participants to successful urban greening projects through structured sessions, case studies, and hands on workshops. It then moves into exploring different types of green infrastructure, associated networks and the various forms of greenspaces found across urban landscapes. 

As the course progresses, participants build their understanding of the policy landscape surrounding green infrastructure, including biodiversity and planning policies that shape how nature can be embedded into development. Participants are introduced to key tools and frameworks such as the Green Infrastructure Framework, the Urban Greening Factor and the Biodiversity Net Gain metric, with opportunities to practise applying these tools through guided workshops. These sessions enable learners to gain confidence in assessing neighbourhood contexts, evaluating biodiversity opportunities and creating portfolio tasks that reflect real planning processes. 

The course expands into the wider case for urban greening, examining how green infrastructure supports climate adaptation through sustainable urban drainage, and how biodiversity contributes to health, wellbeing and equitable access to nature. Participants also explore the economic rationale for investing in urban nature and the governance models needed to ensure long-term preservation and maintenance of green spaces. 

Across the three days, the blend of teaching, discussion and practical application builds a comprehensive understanding of how nature-based solutions can be embedded into cities. By the end, participants are equipped to articulate the policy, economic, health and climate arguments for urban greening; to apply national and regional frameworks confidently; and to translate their learning into actionable proposals that improve the quality, resilience and ecological value of urban places.

The course is designed for professionals working across planning, design, environmental management and urban development. This includes town and spatial planners, climate and sustainability officers, parks and public realm teams, highways and transport officers, landscape architects, urban designers, architects, civil and drainage engineers, development consultants, ecologists, arboriculturists, and biodiversity or environmental consultants. These groups represent the practitioners who directly influence how nature is integrated into cities, making them the ideal audience for a programme focused on applying green infrastructure principles in policy, design and delivery.