Go for a walk in the woods. But make it premium.

– the brilliant Stephen Collins cartoon

What a brilliant cartoon from Stephen Collins in the Guardian at the weekend.

Go for a walk in the woods. But make it premium – the Stephen Collins cartoon.

Are we in danger of enabling access to nature 
- only for those able who can afford the premium, 
- only those with access to transport to get to nature, 
- only those with the support to find time to get into nature
- only to select social groups?

Are we in the built environment restricting access to nature 
- through our building, estate and urban designs that continue to separate rather than connect us.
- through providing biophilia considerations only with those with the premium budget? 

This cartoon was in mind as I read another article from the Guardian today - the wealthiest 1% emit as much carbon as 66% of the population. Yet it is this 1% that can afford access to nature and to whom we arguably provide premium nature access and biophilia considerations in buildings.

A reminder for the Living Building Challenge Equity petal Access to Nature imperative.

All projects must connect people and nature through the provision of sufficient and frequent human nature interactions in both the interior and the exterior of the project to connect the majority of occupants with nature directly.

All projects must complete a post-occupancy evaluation that addresses the health benefits of the project including the benefits of daylight, fresh air and access to nature at least once within six to twelve months of occupancy