The rise of urbanization has severely reduced the number of green spaces accessible to the general public, which has had numerous negative consequences. Here are just a few of the advantages of green space in urban areas.
What is Green Space?
A green space is any piece of land with significant foliage. This could include gardens, jungles, forests, or parks. When discussed in the context of urban areas, “green space” refers to an area with plentiful nature that is accessible to the public.
Green Spaces and Public Health
Time spent in and exposure to nature has been proven to have positive effects on our mental health. The widespread mental health crisis during the pandemic should serve as an indicator that human beings crave time spent outdoors.
However, just taking a walk down the street isn’t always enough. Spending time in nature relieves stress, improves concentration, and boosts people’s happiness.
Physically, green spaces create cleaner air due to the accessibility and volume of plant life. This can lead to longer lifespans for the inhabitants of these cities!
Even if your city does not have designated green spaces, planting trees and shrubbery along streets and walkways can help improve the health of the community. When planting these plants, be intentional about only using plants native to the local area, and utilize permeable paving for tree pits.
Green Spaces and Community
Green spaces also foster community, something that has been stripped out of our culture as public transportation and community care have become more uncommon and individualized lifestyles have become popular.
Green spaces such as parks give people a place to go and be around others, even if they are not directly interacting. A singular park might include a group of teenagers playing frisbee, a young executive walking her dog, an older couple going for a stroll, a man training for a marathon, and a girl riding her bike, all at the same time.
These vignettes of peoples’ lives give us a feeling of community and togetherness, even when we’re not directly engaging with each other. This makes people feel more connected to others and their city and more content with their place in the world. This is a huge loss to our communities when green spaces are not prioritized.
The advantages of green spaces in urban areas should not be underestimated; a multitude of health and community benefits come from prioritizing their placement in cities.
