Green Spaces’ Significance in urban spaces

INTRODUCTION

Urbanization and population growth continue to deplete the world’s finite resources. Over half the world’s population currently live in cities, and by 2050, it is expected that over a billion people will be living urban lives.(2050 and 6.5 are placeholders for specific numbers.)

People will be compelling cities to revise their policies and consider the environmental impact as the urban population increases and environmental concerns become more prominent. There are emerging tendencies in the enactment of more environmentally friendly laws by several towns worldwide. Future sustainable cities will surpass the current environmental standards.

URBAN GREEN SPACES

Urbanists in the eighteenth century created large, well-kept parks in inner city areas as “lungs for the city.” Green spaces improved urban environmental issues and enhanced city life. In order to improve the quality of life, cities now face challenges due to the rapid pace of modern urbanization processes. Also place a great deal of strain on the environment and resources of the city. Cities have to **further** expand traditional disciplinary and professional frameworks for describing those urban conditions **in order** to include environmental and ecological concepts” (Waldheim 10, page 1).

Figure 1:Benifit of green spaces

CASE STUDY OF COPENHAGEN ,DENMARK

For Copenhagen and its people, urban nature is a vital resource. The city’s natural areas, parks, and trees all add to its allure as a place to call home.

In 2015, the City of Copenhagen established an ambitious, albeit not completely financed, strategy called “urban nature in Copenhagen 2015-2025,” which defined precise consequences, objectives, actions, and circumstances to achieve their aspirations for urban nature. Copenhagen’s goal includes quantitative and qualitative strategies to increase production and improve urban natural quality.

For the benefit of both the current and the future generations. We want to actively exploit the urban environment to increase biodiversity. Adapt the city to future climatic circumstances, and create the best possible conditions for active urban life (City of Copenhagen 5).

The municipality has initiated two significant political projects: “the tree policy” and “the green planning tool.” First, there is a tool that adds a “green factor” to all projects that are sponsored by the government, including construction sites and plans for municipal growth. The component takes into account each location’s unique urban character on a quantitative and qualitative level. Within ten years, the second seeks to plant 100,000 additional trees (City of Copenhagen, n.d.).

Figure 2: Illustration of potential sites for creating more urban nature for Copenhageners (Source: City of Copenhagen 2015, p. 17. © City of Copenhagen)

The end product is an urban setting that is practical and attractive, green and blue, climate-adaptable, biodiverse, and cultivates a sense of community. a city setting that gives Copenhageners a strong visual connection to the natural world just outside their door.

Figure 3 :Project Bryggervangen and Sankt Kjeld’s Square (© SLA. Photographer Mikkel Eye)

Conclusion

Mental wellness

People like wide-open, unspoiled spaces where they may interact with the elements. Urban green spaces may give city dwellers the chance to engage with plants and find refuge in these places, which can lessen feelings of loneliness. Peace and calm may be found in green spaces. Stress is less common in people who live close to parks than in people who don’t (Zhao et al., 2022; Cai et al., 2023). Many research have been done to look at the connection between the kind and frequency of use of green spaces and recreational facilities and mental health on an individual, group, and corporate level. Experiences in the outdoors can reduce stress, enhance concentration and focus, and ward off melancholy and anxiety. The health, aesthetic appeal, and actual estate of residents are all significantly impacted by greening systems.

Physical Wellbeing

A livable city must put its citizens’ physical health and well-being first. Chronic illnesses including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory conditions are become increasingly common. This strains healthcare systems and lowers the quality of life for those who suffer from them. Avoiding physical inactivity is advised because it is associated with a number of these illnesses. Cities may improve the general health of their citizens by addressing these issues with targeted efforts. Thirty years ago, a highly cited study looked at the recovery process for people with restricted mobility who had just had gallbladder surgery. The hospital window offers a glimpse of greenery to its patients.

Green spaces are vital to modern lifestyles because they offer both psychological and physical advantages.