What are Urban Green Spaces, and Why are They Important
Urban green space is an open green place in cities that are usually reserved for parks, gardens, etc. They are built to provide urban citizens with fresh air and pollution-free environments. They provide comfort and enjoyment, promote health and help our environment thrive. They also provide a vital connection to nature, which can be lost as we grow increasingly disconnected from nature in our modern lives.
Different Types of Urban green spaces
Urban green spaces can be found in different shapes and sizes, depending upon the societies they are connected with. For example, smaller societies may have small gardens or jogging tracks, while larger metropolitan areas can have massive parks and sanctuaries. These spaces are also referred to as natural spaces, open spaces, or green infrastructure. Some common types of urban green areas that you can find in Pakistan are discussed below.
National Parks and Sanctuaries
National parks and sanctuaries are massive green spaces usually managed by the government. These spaces typically contain vast grassy lands, dense trees, colorful flowers, jogging tracks, and even cycling tracks. You can often find these places in large metropolitan areas.
Urban Forests
Urban forests can be artificially planted or naturally planted. Air pollution, heat reduction, and climate control are usually the motives for establishing them, along with a precautionary measure to prevent urban flooding. These spaces might not be ideal for recreation; however, they do offer a healthy lifestyle for both humans and animals.
Wetlands
They’re areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are usually inhabited by aquatic plants and small aquatic species. These spaces are beneficial for the environment and provide fertile land for seasonal cultivation.
What are the benefits of urban green spaces?
Urban green spaces are essential for many reasons. They improve the health of both people and the environment and can help you live a more fulfilling life. Down below are some of the many benefits of green spaces.
Improved Air Quality
Urban green spaces are essential for the health of our community. In addition to helping to clean the air and reduce air pollution, they also help to reduce greenhouse gases, noise pollution, and stress.
Help People Live Longer
Urban green spaces can help to reduce stress, which can help people live longer. Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve overall mental health. You can go for a walk there and find peers who share your interests, which is very beneficial for maintaining your mental health.
Regulate Temperature
A city’s green space can serve as a regulator of temperature. When it is hot, urban green areas act as natural coolers that help reduce the effects of heat waves while they also increase evaporative cooling during cold snaps. This can become a great help in a country like Pakistan, where summers tend to be really hot with a usual temperature of over 40C.
Conclusion
As we continue to transit lives from rural areas to urban areas, the distance between nature and humans is increasing continuously. Moreover, as we become more and more machine-oriented, our connection with nature is becoming weaker and weaker. This has introduced issues like global warming, deforestation, and several health issues. To counter this, green spaces are built across different parts of metropolitan cities. Some of them cover large masses, while some of them are built to cater to more minor commodities. However, this doesn’t defeat the purpose behind these green spaces, which is to provide a nature-friendly ecosystem that mutually benefits both humans and nature while allowing humans to continue to prosper in their lives.