Even when we can't get "away" to the wilderness, it's still important to spend time in nature.
Particularly for urbanite's, we need open green spaces to improve our physical and psychological health, strengthen our communities, and make our cities and neighborhoods more attractive places to live and work. Unfortunately, too few Americans are able to enjoy these benefits. 80% of Americans live in metropolitan areas, and many of these areas are severely lacking in park space. Only 30% of Los Angeles residents live within walking distance of a nearby park. Atlanta has no public green space larger than one-third of a square mile. And low-income neighborhoods populated by minorities and recent immigrants are especially short of park space.
Not only are green spaces are an essential component of a healthy community, but they're a great benefit for the whole environment. They filter pollutants and dust from the air, they provide shade and lower temperatures in urban areas, and they even reduce erosion of soil into our waterways.
Green spaces can come in many forms, and can be started by YOU -
Particularly for urbanite's, we need open green spaces to improve our physical and psychological health, strengthen our communities, and make our cities and neighborhoods more attractive places to live and work. Unfortunately, too few Americans are able to enjoy these benefits. 80% of Americans live in metropolitan areas, and many of these areas are severely lacking in park space. Only 30% of Los Angeles residents live within walking distance of a nearby park. Atlanta has no public green space larger than one-third of a square mile. And low-income neighborhoods populated by minorities and recent immigrants are especially short of park space.
Not only are green spaces are an essential component of a healthy community, but they're a great benefit for the whole environment. They filter pollutants and dust from the air, they provide shade and lower temperatures in urban areas, and they even reduce erosion of soil into our waterways.
Green spaces can come in many forms, and can be started by YOU -
- Plant a tree - It's one of the most simple and effective things you can do to improve your green space.
- Create a Community Green - These are shared open green spaces on the inside of city blocks, created either when residents merge backyard space or reclaim underutilized urban land such as vacant lots and alleyways. Communities that create backyard commons have increased interaction with neighbors throughout the planning and implementation process, which results in a stronger overall sense of community.
- Apply to Install a Parklet - These mini sidewalk parks are popping up in many cities. Parklets are aesthetic enhancements to the streetscape, providing an economical solution to the need for increased public open space.
- Create a Park in Your City - This takes more work, but there are organizations like The Trust for Public Land that provides tools to help.
- Become an Urban Gardener - Besides making your food as "local" as possible, urban gardening provides all the other green space benefits.
No comments:
Post a Comment