Typical urban sites where TCV are involved are fairly small, with the desire being to involve the local community and other volunteers in practical work. Labour-intensive techniques creating a mosaic of different types are therefore appropriate. The following points should be considered.
- Study the site carefully to find out what is there, and try in the main to work with the conditions that you find. This is likely to be the most successful approach, as well as using fewer resources. Any mix of ‘urban flora’, naturalised plants included, is likely to be a good starting point.
- Variety of soil conditions, substrate and slope are an advantage, and should normally be retained or adapted to the design. Building rubble, gravel, concrete standings and so on should be retained in situ, or reused on site.
- If the site is accessible to the public, or overlooked by housing for example, there should be consultation with local people to assess their feelings about the site, and to discuss any proposed changes in management. The involvement of local groups, and in particular the use of the site for play and education, is likely to be helpful in gaining acceptance for changes.
- Some areas of mown grass are useful for recreation, for picnicking, for young children to play and so on. Mown grass paths through taller vegetation are inviting to walk along, and reduce trampling of the wildflowers. Some mown grass also gives the site a ‘cared-for ’ appearance, and provides a foil to the more natural vegetation.
- Be realistic with the design, and tie it in closely with the use of the site, the amount of maintenance required and the likelihood of vandalism.
- Small areas of wildflower habitat will tend to shrink, as more aggressive grasses and other plants encroach from the edge. Defend the edges by keeping a mown grass strip, a gravel path or other border around the patch.
