By Alex Cater

Bristol is developing a strong reputation for forward thinking environmental initiatives. It was the first city in the UK to be declared a Cycling City, the charity Sustrans that built the National Cycle Network is based here, so is the Centre for Sustainable Energy, and the Soil Association.

In 2007, a group of environmental change makers worked with Bristol City Council to apply for the first round of the European Green Capital City competition. That year Bristol was among the eight short-listed from across Europe and the only city in the UK to be nominated. Out of this bid the Bristol Green Capital Partnership was born, whose objective is to be a driving force for shaping green policy in the city, to make Bristol a model of sustainability around the world and the UK's first European Green capital. Bristol: Inspiring Change was formed from this project, in partnership with The University of Bristol and the City Council.

In its four main sections – Living Together, Working Together, Learning Together, Playing Together – the hardback book tackles a plethora of subjects. These include: building redevelopment, increasing pedestrian areas, greater provisions for cyclists, renewable energy options, financing the green economy, recycling and waste, environmental law firms, green computing, eco-restaurants and schools, parks and green spaces, street parties and the community.

The opening pages discuss the way that Bristol has evolved over the centuries, changing from an agropolis, well connected with its nearby farm and grazing land, to a disconnected petropolis, powered by petrol and importing its food from abroad. The city's future, it says, is as an ecopolis, with renewable energy, efficient buildings, well connected public transport, as well as locally farmed food.

promoting local business, creating new jobs and keeping wealth within the local economy

While some ascetic environmentalists would have us revert to a near feudal society to live in yurts, shunning our former consumer-driven ways, Bristol: Inspiring Change is refreshingly moderate. With concern for Bristol's economy, it talks of the great benefits that a green revolution will bring, such as promoting local business, creating new jobs and keeping wealth within the local economy.

Much-needed insulating of buildings will produce jobs for a local work force, save money and reduce the expenditure and reliance on foreign energy supplies like gas or coal. There is even talk of introducing a local currency that will favour nearby businesses and encourage people to think about where their money is spent.

The book compares the efforts being made by our European counterparts, such as Bristol's twin city of Bordeaux, which has recently had one of the best new tram systems in the world built, or Freiburg in Germany, with its dedicated low- and zero-carbon neighbourhoods. The promising work of the residents of Chew Magna to Bristol’s south are also mentioned. Worried about the problem of CO² generated by the developing world, they decided to fund the building of a wind turbine in Tamil Nadu, India.

Pulling no punches, the book also observes the less-than-progressive actions of the city council in the case of the Redcliffe Futures group. This organisation, formed by local residents and businesses, drew up a supplementary planning document for their area, which put emphasis upon sustainability and development that was respectful to its history and character. The plans were accepted in 2006 only to have them ignored just three years later as planning permission was granted for a major new development to the Carlyle Group, a U.S. private equity firm.

The publishers, Alastair Sawday's, have green credentials to match. The book is printed on ardent offset FSC certified paper with 100% vegetable-based inks by a small firm with a suitable eco-ethos based nearby in Frome.

Bristol: Inspiring Change is an impressive book that makes an intriguing read for anyone connected to the area. Its pages capture a city in transition between a sustainable future and an unsustainable present.

Bristol: Inspiring Change.
Alastair Sawday’s Publishing
RRP: £25

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Book review - Bristol: Inspiring Change

15 September 2011

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