5 Ways Urban Green Spaces Benefit Public Health
Experts have explored myriad strategies to optimize health, especially for those living on traffic-laden roads where air pollution and risk factors are high. One method garnering more attention is increasing the volume of greenery in cities. Learn how green spaces benefit public health in five ways and why city officials must seriously consider them.
1. Prevent Obesity
Roughly 30.7% of American adults are overweight and 42.2% are obese. Weight problems are a risk factor for heart diseases, which rank high as a leading cause of mortality among Americans.
Urban green spaces benefit public health by curtailing the rates of obesity. Public, private and residential parks and playgrounds are equipped with every structure to encourage movement among residents.
For example, adult playgrounds have outdoor fitness stations, including bars, elliptical machines and stationary bikes for people who want to live actively. Urban green spaces empower people to live actively, minimizing the rates of obesity and deaths associated with it.
4. Boost Mental Health
Green environments benefit public health by improving residents' mental well-being. For example, visiting a park and walking or running for 15 minutes can mitigate the risk of major depression, a psychological condition affecting many people.
Going outdoors also increases your exposure to natural light, which staves off negative feelings.
Roughly 80% of Americans are stressed about their jobs. For these people, playgrounds and parks offer a safe space to escape from their busy days and connect with nature in enjoyable ways.
2. Reduce Streetside Air Pollution
Green spaces can also improve air quality. Vehicles are the primary source of urban pollution, putting residents' health at risk of respiratory conditions.
One study examined whether trees can reduce pollution in dense areas and improve public health. Researchers found those spaced at a distance equivalent to their crown diameter can reduce inhalable, thoracic and alveoli particles by 55.85%, 50% and 26.81%, respectively, on bicycle lanes. They also showcased significant air filtration quality on sidewalks and during periods of heavier traffic.
Communities must consider plans to increase greenery in their surroundings and shield everyone from pollution.
3. Decrease Extreme Heat
Greeneries tone down excessive heat during summer months through shading and a process called evapotranspiration, where trees and vegetation move water from the land and put it back into the atmosphere. Cities with forests have 2.9 degrees Fahrenheit lower temperatures than unforested urban areas.
A phenomenon called the heat island effect occurs when people, their activities, transport and shops generate heat and trap it in narrow spaces like roads and concrete structures. As a result, the temperature rises, explaining why it's hotter in the city than in the surrounding countryside.
Trees and vegetation ease this heat by providing shade. Transpiration is a process where they absorb water through the roots and release vapour into the atmosphere using their leaves for a cooling effect. Another way they drive down the heat is by evaporating the rainfall they collect from leaves and soil.
Higher temperatures expand energy consumption, raising carbon emissions and impurities in the air. City officials can develop more green spaces to help address these respiratory issues.
5. Promote Biodiversity
By increasing the number of plants and trees in cities, residents can expand biodiversity and provide nests, shelter and food sources for birds, insects and other animals. These green spaces can be miniature forests, creating little ecosystems of pollinators to help plants and trees bear flowers and fruits.
Moreover, tending to your little greeneries or hanging wall planters on the balcony can minimize stress and improve your mental well-being. For residents who want to garden but have no access to ground space, some of the best options include vertical, container, raised bed, community and rooftop gardens. With some strategy, you can grow organic vegetables or herbs from a limited space.
Urban Green Spaces Benefit Public Health in Many Ways
Playgrounds and parks can inspire residents to move more. Plants and trees help purify air, reduce heat and create habitats for various wildlife. Nature can boost mental health and urban gardening is taking root amidst towering skyscrapers and is pursued by many sustainable dwellers.
From polluted, black smoke, the color of cities is slowly turning green with more people discovering the far-reaching benefits of green spaces on public health. Expanding projects of natural environments in urban areas can help everyone in many ways.
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Beth, the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind, is well-respected in the mental health, nutrition and fitness spaces. In her spare time, Beth enjoys cooking and going for runs with her dog.
