How Trees and Plants Make Humans Healthy and Wealthy - Research Paper Example

How Trees or plants add values to the livability in residential spaces Abstract This article reviews the physical, biological and logical importance of trees and green plants in residential spaces. Trees are used mostly for timber purposes. This article is discussing other significant uses of trees and green plants in adding value to the livability in residential spaces. For instance, they rejuvenate denuded soils or they generally prevent soil erosion. The article also discusses on environmental, eco-developmental, and ecological uses. What about their recreational and educational value in bio-esthetic, landscaping, and gardening? This is in the center of the discussion Introduction In recent years, the municipal budget continues to downsize the share for the urban trees. They are not replacing old trees with the new ones. Planting trees on the other hand is restricted to the small ones in order to minimize the cost of maintaining them. This method may produce some short term benefits, but does not take into consideration the long-term needs for the residents, visitors, and businesses. That is, attractive places clean water and air. Wolf (2014) argues that the local government should engage people and involve them in the creating landscapes, parks and maintaining greener residential areas. This can reduce cost by 10 to 30 percent. For instance communal tree planting can not only reduce cost but promote healthy social interactions. Literature Review According to Frumkin (239) research on recreational activities carried out in savanna like stings, there have been reports of reduced fear and anger, heightened mental attentiveness, and increased cognitive performance. The research measured improved qualities by using tasks such as proof reading and other psychological testing. Ercoskun (220) while planning and designing for smarter communities in the urban areas has concurred with Frumkin that there is a great relieve when a person sits or sleep under trees in the hot afternoon after working. This brings about cool relaxation and the person can work for many days without fatigue. In a review of the previous study by Howard Frumkin, the idea that plants have a role in psychological health is well proven in the American journal of preventive medicine. According to the review, horticultural therapy is a treatment which uses therapeutic effects of gardening. Today it is used in many areas such as; prisons, developmental disabilities programs, community-based programs, geriatrics programs, and in special education. Zhang and Fuying (209) carried out a research and found out that trees and green plants do much more than adding physical value to the community. They affect the physical well-being of the people. According to Wolf, green plants affect our moods and emotions hence beneficial to us psychologically (79). Trees improve economic stability of the people by attracting business men and tourists (Moscovich 123). Another writer pointed out that business offices and rental houses in wooden area are more expensive to rent and to sell (Wolf 185). Thapa (122) has supported the view by saying that property in a place with healthy trees and plants has higher value than the one in barren area Apart from the recreational prospects we get from the greenery in our residential places, a research conducted by an American body of research reveals that contact with natural world makes better our physical and psychological health. An important study that was carried out in Pennsylvania hospital revealed a quick recovery of patients in contact with the natural world. The research involved surgical patients in two different rooms. One room stands of trees and another one with only brown brick wall. A review which took ten years gave a record that showing patients in a room with tree stands had shorter hospitalization and needed less painkillers compared with patients in a room with only brown brick wall. In the notes recorded by nurses, there were fewer negative comments with the patients in a room with tree stands than with the patients in brick walled view room. In a review of the previous study by Howard Frumkin, the idea that plants have a role in psychological health is well proven in the American journal of preventive medicine. According to the review, horticultural therapy is a treatment which uses therapeutic effects of gardening. Today it is used in many areas such as; prisons, developmental disabilities programs, community-based programs, geriatrics programs, and in special education. According to Frumkin (239) research on recreational activities carried out in savanna like stings, there have been reports of reduced fear and anger, heightened mental attentiveness, and increased cognitive performance. The research measured improved qualities by using tasks such as proof reading and other psychological testing. A study published in Netherlands in 2001 was to find out the relationship between the natural green and health. The study had two extensive databases. The one with the health information contained more than 10,000 residents of the Netherlands. The database on land use covered 25 by 25 meter square on the land. This would help researchers to know all the people living near city parks, nature areas, forests, and agricultural land. The research found out that people report fewer complains on health in greener areas. They usually give themselves a higher rate being healthy and in good mental condition. It also established that, all types of green become equally effective when it comes to health. This was found in forests, city parks, and in agricultural areas. When the researchers decided to increase the green space by ten percent, a person’s health complaints was decreased. Harvard biologist, Edward O. Wilson put across the important theoretical foundations. The same biologist had in 1984 found out that there was an existence of biophilia. This is an instinctive bond between human beings and other living organisms. Others have concluded from this idea that there is an affinity of nature that goes beyond living things to include such things as ocean, waves, tides, streams, and wind. For the human existence the human biology is intertwined with the natural environment. Trees have shown the ability of elevating the people’s physical well-being. They change our moods and emotions. The psychological advantages that come from trees are hard to measure. It is important to note that when there is a healthy forest growing near the people’s residence and even their places of work, this is an essential element of health to the people. Trees provide an environment with feeling of relaxation. If you feel you want to have privacy then trees can provide. They also provide a sense of aloneness and security. Trees or plants change the local climate naturally and save energy in residential places Where there is “heat island” effect in our cities, trees can be used to help cool them. When thermal energy is stored in the asphalt, steel, or concrete, there is a result of these islands. They are 4 to 9 degrees warmer higher that the surrounding countryside temperatures. When a there are many trees transpiring trees or plants, that is evaporating water, there is a reduction in the temperature of the surrounding. Through evaporating of moisture, plants increases water vapor in the air during dry climates. Trees provide shades hence lowering air temperature. Trees in this case save energy as any other appliances used to do the same in home such as insulating and installing weather tight doors and windows. If trees are strategically planted, they can be used to reduce heating and cooling expenses. During hot months they provide the cooling effect. During winter, they act as wind breakers. By doing this there is a significant decrease in the use of natural gas or electricity to do the same. Planting large trees around your home can reduce air conditioning by a significant percentage. For instance, deciduous trees give us shades and reduce direct sun rays during hot months. When they drop their leaves during the snow fall they allow sunlight to reach our homes. It is important to use evergreens as windbreakers. This will reduce energy used for heating during winter. They are best when they are used to slow down winds during winter. This is especially when you plant them on the western side of your home Coeur d'Alene area. The same trees can be used to provide shades during summer. Trees or plants reduce air pollution, conserve water and reduce soil erosion A scientific research (Zhang and Fuying, 2010), indicates that trees and plants absorb CO2. This process is called carbon sequestering and it lowers temperatures. This fixes the problem of global warming. Trees breathe in CO2 and other dangerous gases (nitrogen oxides ammonia and other polutants) from the air and in return they breathe out oxygen. Human beings releases CO2 in to the air. Plants use carbon dioxide in the air, sunlight, some elements from the soil, and water to make their own food. At the end of the process they release oxygen into the air for us to breath. Trees help in trapping air pollutants such as pollen, smoke, dust, and ash. These pollutants can damage our lungs. When the leaf litter of the plants fall on the ground, there is an organic matter formed. Roots of the trees, increases the soil porousness. This in turn reduces the surface run off water from the storms. Ground water recharge increases which would be otherwise reduced by paving. Tree roots hold the soil particles together and therefore reduce soil erosion from wind. The whole effect is that, there is a reduced cities’ expense on sewage and storm water drainage pipes that could be higher because of water run off if trees are not planted. Trees Increase Economic Stability and Property Values The face of the community’s residence is shaped by the condition of the plants and trees planted. This is the first impression that a visitor will see when arrives there. Several studies have shown that tourists and businessmen are attracted by the appearance of the plants and trees in any given area. Therefore there is an increased economic stability. There is an affinity for the people to walk along the tree lined streets. This means that the shops along those streets get more customers than the others. Hoses and shops in the areas planted with trees rent more quickly that when they are in places where there are no trees. This in turn increases competition and therefore increases in rental fee. Offices in wooded areas find that their workers are always active and there is reduced absenteeism. A property in a land that is well planted with trees and other plants is more attractive than properties in a barren land. Real estate agents refer this as "curb appeal". Research has shown that plants and trees in good conditions can add up to 20 percent the value of the residential property. Offices, homes, and industrial spaced in wooded setting are more expensive to rent or to buy. Trees Create Wildlife and Plant Diversity plants create good ecosystems. Therefore they provide habitat and food for birds of the air and other animals. This will create a beautiful scene where there are varieties of birds and some other animals. When trees grow in the residential areas, other plants that would otherwise not be found there, start growing under them. This creates a beautiful biodiversity. Trees and plants may grow in different layers. This can be short shrubs, tall trees and others at the ground. These levels give habitat (home) different species of wildlife. At residential places layering of plants can be done and produce desirable effects. The increasing rate of low – density, communities that depend on auto mobiles for their transport has led to the lifestyles that are unbearable. This also increases threat to the human health. There is inflating housing and increase of transportation costs. There is an increase in carbon emissions. Communities that rely on cars chose sedentary lifestyles. There is lack of good environments that provides clean air and water. An environment that provides nutrition and affordable health services. This leads to increase to heart diseases, asthma, diabetes, depression, and diabetes. A good relationship between communities and landscape architects can promote the well-being of the community and improve health. This is done through supporting the creation of environments that can offer good environmental, economic, and social profits. When the communities create employment, affordable transport, and can make good housing choices, it is said to be healthy and livable. This is achieved through live, work and play development model, making physical activities as part of daily life, taking good care of natural resources, making food affordable, nutritious and be able to provide them locally. The work of landscape architects is to help the local community to increase chances and time for daily exercise like biking and walking. When the architects design transport networks linking mixed use developments, affordable housing and schools, they encourage the people to move to the dense and movement oriented. They help in building healthy structures and open spaces creating efficient water and energy supply and use. They also create places for vegetation that will clean air and change the temperatures. This reduces the expenses caused by health epidemics that occur mostly because of sedentary lifestyle and vehicle dependence. This also goes hand in hand with the environmental problems caused by careless living styles. The built parts of the city and parts that do not have buildings are the visual and physical components of urban landscape. Open spaces in the urban that are reachable to the citizens and the visitors are the bigger part of the urban landscape. This forms a major recourse to the citizens. This in turn improves the quality of their lives. These benefits include; promotion of physical, social, and visual health, increases image building of the city, creating social platforms for interaction, bringing nature in the city giving out ecological corridors. Livable forms the word Livability. In terms of landscape architecture, it is a nature of space. The livable place connects the future with the past. The livable city respects the roots of history and also respects those who are not yet born, that are our posterity. This city preserves all the layouts, the buildings, and the sites of the history. This is a livable urban environment where a livable open space forms the major and the most significant. Public space is where people of the same age or caliber can meet and talk. The image of the urban is portrayed by the public open space. They attract visitors and businessmen. These open spaces in the city give quality life to the locals. They connect citizens to other human beings and the nature. Public space is an all-inclusive component that is composed of all social and economic strata. It is an instrument in creating closure a structure that many cities are becoming susceptible to. According to the Indian context, the term public open spaces is used to mean multi-functional cultural associations with the natural landscapes such as values, place and symbolic meaning connected with holiness of place using of the space cyclically according to the local calendar, interactions and the celebrations among all the age groups. Since the Indian cities are becoming densely populated, public spaces are regarded as the city’s life. Culture is a component in the people’s life. They give people places to celebrate, exercise, interact, enjoy, rest and they even worship there. Analytical frame work According to Jacobs (), for the city to be livable large blocks of land should be reduces and access streets be created. He argued that buildings should be facing to the streets in order to make those streets useful. Any residential street become more livable when there are places for leisure walking, and they are many, different. You can access them. According to Jacob connectivity between open spaces and the surrounding streets have impact on livability. This means that not only location that can affect the livability of an open space. If these open spaces are connected properly, livability increases. According to Gehl the quality of the open space affect the types of activities by the society. The activities may be necessary or optional. They create livability in the open spaces. Gehl argues that, when the streets have high number of people, the feeing of the space disappears and therefore reduction in social activities. When the streets have low traffic, they have many activities that the residents feel they can partake. This calls for the management of the flow of the people in those streets in order to keep the streets livable. Method Ten participants took part in a survey on how trees or plants add values to the livability in residential spaces. Five were male and five were female. Three of them owned houses in a residential area and seven had rented houses. All of them lived in the area for an average of four and a half years. They answered the following questionnaires: 1. How much concerned are you about planting trees in your residential area? a) Extremely concerned b) Very concerned c) Moderately concerned d) Slightly concerned e) Not at all concerned 2. How concerned are you about the look of your environment? a) Extremely concerned b) Very concerned c) Moderately concerned d) Slightly concerned e) Not at all concerned 3. When people get involved in making the neighborhood look greener, how often do you think they make things better? a) Always b) Most of the time c) About half the time d) Once in a while e) Never 4. What do you like least about trees and green plants in the neighborhood? 5. How often do you visit the public parks in this neighborhood? a) Extremely often b) Quite often c) Moderately often d) Slightly often e) Not at all often 6. By what percentage do trees raise the value of the property? a) 20% b) 10% c) 5% d) 1% 7. How much value do trees increase in tourism revenues? 8. How does the landscaping help increase the value of the property? 9. How do you feel when working in an office located in a wooded area? a) Extremely good b) Very good c) Moderately good d) Slightly good e) Not good at all 10. Is there any percentage decrease caused by trees in the surrounding temperatures? 11. How do green plants and trees help in reducing health maintenance costs? 12. How are the trees important in saving energy in residential places? 13. How do trees affect the climate of any given area? 14. Where between 1 and 10 can you place trees in terms of preventing pollution in the residential area? 15. Which role do trees play in creating wildlife diversity in the neighborhood? Works cited American Journal of Preventive Medicine 20, no. 3, (2001): p. 237. Ercoskun, Ozge Y. "Green Urban Planning and Design for Smarter Communities." (2011). Print. Howard Frumkin, “Beyond Toxicity: Human Health and the Natural Environment, Jacobs, A. B. Great Streets, Cambridge, MIT Press, Massachusetts, 1993. John L. Crompton, The Impact of Parks and Open Space on Property Values and the Property Moscovich, Rotem. City Books: An Exploration of the Active Urban Landsape in Middle-Grade Fiction. , 2005. Print. Ozbakir, Buket A. "Urban Environmental Applications of Giscience." (2012). Print. Perdue, Wendy C, Lawrence O. Gostin, and Lesley A. Stone. "Public Health and the Built Environment: Historical, Empirical, and Theoretical Foundations for an Expanded Role." The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics. 31.4 (2003): 557-566. Print. Tang, Tonya Y. Urban Frings Belts and Planning: Exploring Urban Landsape Management in Auckland. , 2009. Print. Tax Base (Ashburn, Va.: National Recreation and Park Association, 2000), p. 1. Thapa, Bhupesh. The Prospect of Urban Development Within the Kathmandu Valley: Disertation Submitted for the Degree of Ma (hons) in Landscape Architecture. , 2000. Print. Wolf, Kathleen L. "City Trees and Consumer Response in Retail Business Districts." (2014). Print. Zhang, Shanfeng, and Fuying Liu. "Green Streetscape Design Models Based on Stormwater Management." 2 (2010): 571-575. Print. Read More