Soil is not just a life-giving force within our environment; it
is also a true carbon sink, which could play a transformative role
in our battle against climate change. Today, its contribution is
barely recognised. But this can and must change, as landscape
architect Jo Gibbons explains.

Ellen Fay is the Founder and Executive Director of the Sustainable
Soils Alliance. In conversation with Jo Gibbons, she explains the
progress made in recent years and the urgent work that still needs
to be done around soil.

Words matter. And soil has long had negative connotations in
the English language. But what if that changed? Maria Smith,
Director of Sustainability and Physics at Buro Happold suggests
that shifting perceptions could act as a force for good across
the development industry.

Soils provide critical clues about the character of place both in
prehistoric times and in the present day. Neil Davidson, Partner
at J & L Gibbons, considers Deep Time and how we can use our
knowledge of the past to build a better future.

The global pandemic has shifted our gaze to the hyper-local,
shining a light on neighbourhood-led innovation. As artist Michael
Smythe explains, this is all part of a global movement for grassroots
reclamation of the land, especially in and around our cities.

From cycling enthusiast to horticulturalist, Anton Blackie has
spent his life working with soil. It’s time, he says, to treat
this essential substance with respect.

Matthew Gandy is Professor of Geography at the University of
Cambridge. In response to Johanna Gibbons’ call to make urban
soils central to our conceptualisation of urban environments,
he suggests that a fuller appreciation of the politics of
urban soils will be a key component to new understandings
of urban nature and future cities.

Please get in touch if you have a great
regeneration opportunity or seek risk capital
of £500k to £10m for a project that fits with
our purpose and values.

You are receiving this email because you are part of the
U+I digital network. You can unsubscribe or view our privacy policy.

U and I Group PLC (U+I) | Registered in England & Wales
No: 1528784, 7A Howick Place, London, SW1P 1DZ.
© 2021 U+I Plc. All rights reserved.