Ramblings on The Swedish experience!

[JimG]

No, not that Swedish experience...
I've just got back to the UK after spending 3 years in Sweden.  Something that really impressed me was the way pretty much all public spaces were well tended.  Not to get too precious about it, but I personally believe this has a significant, if subconscious effect on people's sense of dignity, self respect and general quality of life.  That's why (a) I was depressed on my return to see  lots of untended / wild areas in south-central manchester.  (I don't know if it was always like that, or if 3 years in Scandinavia has sensitised me...).  And (b) it was great to hear about Richard's initative.  I'm not sure if there is any specific philosophy behind the GG movement (I guess we've all got our own personal reasons for getting involved), but I guess what's more relevant is the end product.  Whatever, it's a bloody great idea!
Jim

[Richard _001]

I agree, I noticed this in Sweden and saw how Manhattan has a similiar common sense pride.  Local people, local businesses mostly all take unprompted care for the soil beneath the trees outside their house.  A few Busy Lizzies, some bricks or a fence to protect them, there is almost an unspoken competition to out do each other, and you end up with a treelined street with flowers at pavement level.  The only place I've seen this in London is on the way to Holloway Road in Camden.    I attach a couple of snaps from New York for inspiration.

[rachel_hw]

When I was briefly in France over the summer near Grenoble there seemed to be a real sense of pride in making any spare space look good, every roundabout that we passed was beautiful and completely different.  Gorgeous.  Good kob I wasn't driving though, I would have been too distracted at every roundabout!