Ecology Study
Tutor: Cristian E. Mong
IMPORTANCE OF GREEN SPACES IN THE CITY
Mental health benefits
Citizens who grew up with the least green space nearby had as much as a 55 per cent increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in later years.
Green space most strongly protects against mood disorders, depression, neurotic behaviour, and stress-related issues, signalling that psychological restoration may be the strongest protective mechanism that green space offers. The effect of green space is also dose-dependent, meaning those who have longer exposures to green space have greater mental health benefits.
Earthobservatory.nasa.gov. 2020. Green Space Is Good For Mental Health. [online] Available at: <https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145305/green-space-is-good-for-mental-health> [Accessed 3 May 2020].
Physical benefits
Green urban areas facilitate physical activity and relaxation and form a refuge from noise.
Urban parks and gardens play a critical role in cooling cities, and also provide safe routes for walking and cycling for transport purposes as well as sites for physical activity, social interaction and recreation.
World Health Organization. 2020. Urban Green Spaces. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/sustainable-development/cities/health-risks/urban-green-space/en/> [Accessed 3 May 2020].
Social benefits
Cities with more green areas boost social cohesion and relations since they are meeting points to share and create links between city inhabitants.
Additionally, green spaces positively affect the behaviour of the inhabitants. Urban parks build and develop relations between neighbours, strengthening community bonds and sense of identity.
ESPORA - Cubiertas Verdes y Jardines Verticales. 2020. 5 Reasons For Creating Urban Green Spaces - ESPORA. [online] Available at: <https://www.urbanespora.com/en/5-reasons-for-creating-urban-green-spaces/> [Accessed 3 May 2020].
Environmental benefits
Some of the problems faced by cities today are air pollution, urban heat and extreme temperatures in summer and winter.
Trees produce oxygen and help filter out harmful air pollution, including airborne particulate matter. Water sports, from lakes to rivers and fountains, moderate temperatures.
Earthobservatory.nasa.gov. 2020. Green Space Is Good For Mental Health. [online] Available at: <https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145305/green-space-is-good-for-mental-health> [Accessed 3 May 2020].
Green roofs can retain 40% of rainwater. Also, they can delay water discharge by 18 minutes in episodes of heavy rain, preventing the collapse of urban drainage systems.
ESPORA - Cubiertas verdes y Jardines Verticales. 2020. 5 Reasons For Creating Urban Green Spaces - ESPORA. [online] Available at: <https://www.urbanespora.com/en/5-reasons-for-creating-urban-green-spaces/> [Accessed 3 May 2020].
Possible interventions
What types of green spaces can a city have? There are multiple ways to incorporate green spaces and create green architecture. For example, vertical gardens on building facades, green roofs, greenhouses, hives and green roads, urban gardens, and many more.
