Jon Masters 23 July 2015

Urban beauty is being restricted to the rich says think tank

Green spaces and beautiful urban surroundings are the realms of the wealthy, a report by the independent think tank ResPublica reveals.

According to ResPublica’s Community Right to Beauty report, published today, households with incomes over £45,000 a year get the best access to ‘beautiful places’ and green spaces in urban ureas.

The report also found that less than half of those living in social rented housing felt they had good access to areas of beauty.

Deputy director of ResPublica and report co-author, Caroline Julian, said: 'Our public poll is damning. It shows we are singularly failing the poor. A high household income, more than £10,000 above the national average, gives you better access to beautiful surroundings.

'This inequality has a significant impact on health and wellbeing as well as the way people behave within communities. Those who are surrounded by beauty are more likely to take care of it, become more involved in their communities.

'Uglier places see higher levels of anti-social behaviour, crime and more litter. We have to create a system by which we all have a right to beauty.'

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