Increasing Community Green Spaces and the Benefits - Essay Example

Increasing Community Green Spaces and the Benefits

Introduction

It is easy for investors to see community green spaces as a waste of useful land for construction. Most of the global population lives in cities. This has created a need to build more and more houses, malls, roads, office plazas, industrial parks etc. as more and more people flock to the urban areas, more space is needed to construct living and working places. Much of the land has now found use in the construction industry. The green spaces in the urban centers continue to diminish with each passing day. There are however immense benefits that arise from the community green spaces. This paper dwells on the issue of planning for green spaces by showing the benefits that accrue from having green spaces in a city or any urban setting.

Defining the Urban Green Space

Green space in an urban setting refers to all the vegetated areas that are found within cities. They can be located in private land such as gardens in residence areas or on public land such as parks. The green spaces are categorized by the land use pattern. This categorization distinguishes green spaces into areas that are used for residential dwellings, public recreation, transport corridors, biodiversity conservation, and industrial and commercial activities. The spaces are further differentiated by vegetative cover such as native vegetation, lawns and shrubs, and planted trees (Kendal, et al, 1).

Defining the problem

Statistics show that in 2014, approximately 54% of the global population was living in urban centers. The population of people living in urban centers is expected to rise to approximately 705 by 2050. Additionally, more than two thirds of the total urban area available in 2030 will be used up by construction (University of Leeds 2).

Further research reveals that urbanization is leading culprit in the case of disappearing green spaces in cities. Urbanization comes in the form of urban sprawl (outward expansion of urban areas) and densification of the core of urban areas. Densification specifically refers to the increase in the area occupied by buildings and high population density as compared to the open spaces. Urban sprawl on the other hand comes in the form of the city expanding outwards and taking up the land that was not primarily urban including agricultural land. The rapid growth of urban centers has led to conversion of open land in urban areas into construction sites and constructed structures. The natural ecosystem has also been severely damaged as a result of rapid urbanization (Mensah 1).

A shocking revelation showed that roughly green spaces amounting to 1.4 million hectares have been lost to urbanization in most cities in the United States of America. The problem is replicated around the world and is more severe in developing economies where the rate of urbanization is high (McDonald 1). If the Problem continues unabated most of the cities’ green spaces will be consumed by constructions. By then the cities will be facing a myriad of problems that will be hard to reverse. There is however hope in the present. Much of the open spaces left can be planned for sustainability by increasing the area covered by vegetation.

Rationalizing Urban Green Spaces

Research literature around the world shows that urban green spaces play an important role to a society. The first rationale for urban green spaces is the associated health benefits. Prolonged exposure to stressors commonly found in urban setting lead to elevate the risk of fatigue related syndromes, anxiety and depression. Common urban stressors include high crime rates, overcrowding, noise and the lack of possibilities to escape the said stressors. Green spaces are seen restorative settings that can help urban folk escape the stressors albeit for a short period. Studies show that being exposed to green vegetation helps people relax. People can spend time relaxing in green spaces or exercising which can relieve their stress and anxieties. (Davern, et al. 13).

Green spaces have also been associated with increased community cohesion as a result of social interactions. Green spaces allow for and enhance social interactions in a community. This in turn leads to greater social cohesion. Green spaces are further considered to be open and inclusive spaces. People living in areas with more green spaces have been shown to have greater sense of community and the neighborhoods are more cohesive.

Food security is a growing global problem. Furthermore, availability of a variety of fresh foods is also a challenge because most foods are grown in rural areas that are miles away from the cities. Urban agriculture is currently considered a community greening initiative in communities where it is practiced. Urban agriculture as a community greening initiative provides a viable way of providing green spaces that contribute to the cities income rather than consuming taxpayers’ money. Communities have been shown to increase their food sufficiency and reduce their food bills by converting idle spaces into agricultural lands (Brown 21).

Green spaces have also been associated with reduced crime rates. Studies show that increase in vegetative cover is associated with decrease in crime in several cities. A research carried out in Philadelphia showed converting vacant land in cities into green spaces led to decreased vandalism acts and gun violence. A similar study in Baltimore also established that a 10 percent increase in vegetative cover in the city led to a 12 percent decline in crime levels. These studies suggest that there is a strong correlation between crime and green spaces (Jennings 5).

Strategies to increase Green Spaces in the Urban Areas

Urban greening initiatives require strategic planning to achieve meaningful results. Strategic planning is crucial for urban greening for two reasons. One is that the natural aspects of the green spaces largely rely on natural processes which require long periods of time to materialize into the condition that is desired. Second, the community areas set aside for public and private good require deliberate planning and careful management. This is necessary to extract maximum benefits from the limited public resources and budgets to be able to compete with private investment interest in the urban development.

Strategic planning for urban greening facilitates strategic thinking learning and acting through strategic conversations and continuous dialogue with the community stakeholders. Strategic planning for green spaces supports a holistic approach to strategic issues such as provision and the quality of green spaces; priority action areas, clear understanding of the legislative and administrative setting; identification of stakeholders and identification of the gaps and deficiencies in the system.

The strategic plan for green space however needs to follow an integrative approach to issues. The plan needs to integrate the views of both the users and the designers in what is called an integrative approach to urban greening. The design and planning process needs to aligned to the needs of the users of the green spaces through public participation. This is important because it helps incorporate the patterns of life and the values of the people in the greening initiatives.

Activities for Sustainable Urban Greening Programs

There are several activities that can be established to install sustainable green spaces. This section describes the mechanisms and activities that urban planners can use to get the optimal benefits that a greening initiative will bestow upon the people. Through citizen participation to the implementation of activities outlined in this chapter, the people can turn the urban centers into enjoyable, sustainable and healthier living places (Arensberg 45-51).

Public Education and Outreach

The success of a community greening initiative is influenced by the participation of the general public and other stakeholders. Active participation of the public is required in the planning, design and implementation of a greening program. Cooperation with the people affected by a greening program is achieved through communication and respecting the input of those affected. Low income residents of a city can be encouraged to participate in greening programs by giving them access to other successful programs. This allows them to better appreciate the resources and take an active role in the environmental greening programs. Individuals must also be given a chance to become partners to greening initiatives to get them to appreciate their importance (Arensberg 45).

Public Parks

City parts are the most popular and visible urban greening program in any given city. Most of these parks are so much integrated into the identity of the city to an extent that the residents cannot imagine the city without the parks. The parks offer both active and passive recreation, retreat from the urban stressors, environmental quality and add to the aesthetic value of a city. The parks bring different people from different societies together. Such people would otherwise never meet in the absence of city parks. City parks also improve the quality of life of the people from poor neighborhoods. Such people usually do not have the ability to visit private membership clubs or national parks because of the charges involved.

City parks also provide the cities with a variety of environmental benefits. Grass fields help decrease surface runoffs from storms, improve the quality of air, reduce noise pollution, and act as wind breaks. Larger parks can also offer habitats to animals increasing the biodiversity of the city. People can get the pleasure of viewing animals in parks that have forested areas. This increases the overall aesthetic value of a city.

Residential and Street Trees

Tourists, city residents and businesses enjoy a variety of benefits offered by trees planted along city streets. Business can sponsor a tree in central locations and high traffic areas where growth of trees is poor. The business in turn benefit by advertising on the tree protectors. Tree projects in a city provide environmental benefits such as air quality and beautify the cities where they are planted. Other trees also offer nutrition to the people by providing fruits and nuts. They can also be used as fencing material for poor neighborhoods. Such benefits encourage people to care for trees in the cities and their residences.

Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture is an important component of a greening program. The agricultural activities include poultry, bee keeping, small livestock animal rearing, fish farming, orchards, flower beds, fodder and medicinal crops, arable crops, and other agricultural activities that can be carried out in an urban setting. Poor families appreciate land that can be used to produce cash and food crops in the urban areas. Some cities have set up family gardening programs which constitute their greening programs. The programs benefit large numbers of people and are usually organized by not for profit organization and local governments. The greening program planners must however involve the people in the planning process. The people can then offer suggestions of the types of plants and tress to grow to maximize their benefits (Arensberg 47).

Greenways and Greenbelts

Greenbelts are defined as “large parcels of land in and around cities where urban development is totally prohibited through zoning, public ownership, easements or development restrictions” (Miller in Arensberg 48). Such areas offer immense environmental benefits to the people and the cities. Where the greenbelts are heavily forested they help combat air and noise pollution. They also offer biodiversity, improve the climatic conditions, protect the water catchments and conserve and offer habitable regions for wildlife. Greenways are narrower than belts and offer benefits such as recreations and transport in addition to improving the environmental quality. Greenways are incorporate along riparian areas, or along utility lines or highways. They can also be used for agricultural purposes to help poor households produce food and earn cash from selling excess produce.

Management of Watersheds

Larger cities are faced with the challenge of clean water provision and disposal of waste water. Catchment areas are essential for a steady supply of clean water to city residents. Urban planners are required to collaborate with residents in watershed and catchment areas to protect the water source. Protection of watersheds should be integrated with environmental education, tree planting programs as well as flood control projects. Waste water can be treated and used for agriculture and watering green spaces such as parks.

Protected Area

Protected areas could be reconstructed or natural habitats granted legal protection for the purpose of preserving the environmental functions associated with them. This could be biodiversity or protection of species. The protected areas vary in size and include migration corridors, deserts, seashores or grasslands. The most common protected areas in urban areas are forests, riparian areas and wetlands. The protected areas also offer sanctuary to a wide variety of organic species of plants and animals that are crucial to maintaining the ecological biodiversity. The also offer a wide range of environmental services such as protection from floods, conservation of water sources, moderation of climate among others.

Conclusion

Maintenance of green spaces in urban areas has been shown to have health, social and environmental benefits to communities. Modern urban planning and investments need to aware of and address the needs of the cities. Some of these needs can be address through cost effective and sustainable greening programs. Infrastructure and urban developments have to be planned around the central theme of maintaining green spaces within the city to increase food availability, social justice and maintenance of environmental dignity. Green programs are not only good for the communities but also for business in the long run.

Rationalizing Urban Green Spaces

Research literature around the world shows that urban green spaces play an important role to a society. The first rationale for urban green spaces is the associated health benefits. Prolonged exposure to stressors commonly found in urban setting lead to elevate the risk of fatigue related syndromes, anxiety and depression. Common urban stressors include high crime rates, overcrowding, noise and the lack of possibilities to escape the said stressors. Green spaces are seen restorative settings that can help urban folk escape the stressors albeit for a short period. Studies show that being exposed to green vegetation helps people relax. People can spend time relaxing in green spaces or exercising which can relieve their stress and anxieties. (Davern, et al. 13).

Green spaces have also been associated with increased community cohesion as a result of social interactions. Green spaces allow for and enhance social interactions in a community. This in turn leads to greater social cohesion. Green spaces are further considered to be open and inclusive spaces. People living in areas with more green spaces have been shown to have greater sense of community and the neighborhoods are more cohesive.

Food security is a growing global problem. Furthermore, availability of a variety of fresh foods is also a challenge because most foods are grown in rural areas that are miles away from the cities. Urban agriculture is currently considered a community greening initiative in communities where it is practiced. Urban agriculture as a community greening initiative provides a viable way of providing green spaces that contribute to the cities income rather than consuming taxpayers’ money. Communities have been shown to increase their food sufficiency and reduce their food bills by converting idle spaces into agricultural lands (Brown 21).

Green spaces have also been associated with reduced crime rates. Studies show that increase in vegetative cover is associated with decrease in crime in several cities. A research carried out in Philadelphia showed converting vacant land in cities into green spaces led to decreased vandalism acts and gun violence. A similar study in Baltimore also established that a 10 percent increase in vegetative cover in the city led to a 12 percent decline in crime levels. These studies suggest that there is a strong correlation between crime and green spaces (Jennings 5).

Strategies to increase Green Spaces in the Urban Areas

Urban greening initiatives require strategic planning to achieve meaningful results. Strategic planning is crucial for urban greening for two reasons. One is that the natural aspects of the green spaces largely rely on natural processes which require long periods of time to materialize into the condition that is desired. Second, the community areas set aside for public and private good require deliberate planning and careful management. This is necessary to extract maximum benefits from the limited public resources and budgets to be able to compete with private investment interest in the urban development.

Strategic planning for urban greening facilitates strategic thinking learning and acting through strategic conversations and continuous dialogue with the community stakeholders. Strategic planning for green spaces supports a holistic approach to strategic issues such as provision and the quality of green spaces; priority action areas, clear understanding of the legislative and administrative setting; identification of stakeholders and identification of the gaps and deficiencies in the system.

The strategic plan for green space however needs to follow an integrative approach to issues. The plan needs to integrate the views of both the users and the designers in what is called an integrative approach to urban greening. The design and planning process needs to aligned to the needs of the users of the green spaces through public participation. Read More