A few years ago, since Covid, on a coach tour of Munich our guide in his flawless English proudly explained how they had reduced traffic in the centre, and reinstated pocket parks and planted avenues of trees.
The German city is already famous for its parks but acted decisively to welcome nature especially alongside its river valley. We stopped at a river bridge and saw surfers where the water is backed up to produce a crest of a wave.
Similarly Ipswich is justifiably proud of its parks and initiatives like Greener Ipswich are making a difference, involving the local council but also sponsors and community volunteers. We are planting trees.
Science and travel writer Chris Fitch has looked at initiates across Europe and the world where nature has been brought back to the forefront of conversations by people who love their communities.
Not just Munich but Copenhagan, Paris, Tallinn and Tokyo and others. Life is returning to the concrete jungle.
Chris tells their stories, and literally, also hugs a tree.
Perhaps Ipswich can learn from what others have done in their communities?
I can’t see any surfing at Ipswich Waterfront just yet though!
David Vincent
Wild Cities by Chris Fitch, £22, William Collins.
Munich Surfer