Accessible and Inclusive Urban Green Spaces for All

Today, more than half of the world’s population live in cities. This number is likely to keep increasing, with 2.5 billion more people coming to live in urban areas by 2050. Combined with the ever-increasing global temperatures, we can imagine how stuffy things will be for city dwellers. In this light, urban green spaces may offer a pathway to a better urban life. What are they, and how can they benefit the urban population from all walks of life?

For the Urban Environment

Urban green spaces are open spaces or areas—usually parks—that bring nature closer to city residents. These areas have significant vegetation, like trees and flowers, or other natural features, like lakes and rivers. In short, they provide elements of nature among the primarily steel-and-concrete landscape of urban areas.

Besides pleasing to the eye, why are they important?

As the world gets hotter, urban areas are prone to experience more heat due to the hustle and bustle of people and activities. As if a balm, urban parks provide a cooling effect to the area. They offer respite from heat with shades from trees, fresher air, and water features. For those with limited access to air conditioning, these natural regulating services are essential.

Furthermore, research shows that urban green spaces can help lessen the negative health effects of heat. Areas with more green spaces have lower rates of heat-related death and health issues, especially among vulnerable groups. Urban green spaces also help water management and mitigate floods as well as reduce pollution. The native greenery can also improve soil health, opening up the possibility of urban farming.

For the People

Beyond their ecosystem services and aesthetic values, urban green spaces also benefit the urban population in various ways. For one, being around greeneries is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. The views and sounds of nature in urban parks can rejuvenate tired minds and improve concentration. Overall, studies have shown that there is a connection between increased exposure to natural environments and higher levels of happiness and wellbeing.

Functionally, well-designed urban green spaces can foster social connection and the local economy. Older adults, for example, may use parks for exercising and socializing. Parks also encourage outdoor, physical activities and social bonding in children, families, older students, and workers. Small businesses and stalls have an opportunity to thrive in these areas as well.

For low-income communities and other marginalized groups, urban green spaces can address needs that are often overlooked. For instance, these green infrastructures can be for urban farms, providing food for those in need. Urban wetlands, such as river parks, can provide access to clean water for domestic uses.

Public parks also serve as recreation and relaxation spaces necessary for the wellbeing and quality of life of lower-income communities. For women and vulnerable groups, these spaces can offer a safe and inclusive place outside of their homes to gather and socialize.

Equitable Access to Urban Green Spaces

Unfortunately, not all urban residents have equal access to urban green spaces. With parks mostly existing in high-income areas, lower-income and marginalized communities often cannot access the benefits. These inequalities can come from various factors, including lack of urban planning, lack of space for development, and limited resources within limited tenure of leadership. They can also stem from political history, such as apartheid in South Africa.

Inclusive and accessible urban green spaces remain a challenge for cities worldwide. Oftentimes, they are simply not a priority.  In fact, green infrastructure, water management, and waste management are interlinked issues that are prevalent in urban areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

In general, though, governments tend to overlook lower-income and marginalized communities in urban areas. This lack of regard and engagement makes it almost impossible to understand their needs and address them properly. The priority functions of urban green spaces they need may be different from those in higher-income areas, making unilateral top-down planning likely to fail.

Therefore, creating inclusive and accessible urban green spaces require the involvement of communities they should serve. Implementing highly-participatory or community-based projects for urban parks could be one of the solutions to create a better urban life for all. After all, collaboration is key, and meaningful partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society are crucial.

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