Overview
According to United Nations Report research, a large number of people are moving to cities for a better lifestyle. It is forecasted that about 68% of the overall population will move to cities by 2050. More population means more pollution, more needs, increased temperature, and many more issues. The people who like to live closer to nature will get no green space in an urban setting as they are being cleared for the needs of the people. So in this blog, we will discuss why are green spaces more essential in the cities.
In Pakistan, the situation is also the same. The concept of green spaces is vanishing from the cities. The illegal cutting of trees and deforestation also play a role in this. The government has started several projects, such as Billion Tree Tsunami, to preserve the greenery. Such projects will help in reforestation as well. There are some societies in the capital of the country, Islamabad, such as Park View City Islamabad, which provides lush green surroundings and a serene environment to the residents. The botanical gardens and hills provide the green spaces that have become an essential need of the cities.
Types of Green Spaces in the Cities
Different types of green spaces can be added to the cities for an improved quality of life. Some of them are discussed as follows:
Gardens and Parks
The gardens and parks are considered places where people can spend their free time and enjoy themselves with their families. The gardens and parks consist of green grass, trees, tracks for walking and jogging, cycling tracks, playlands for kids, and other things such as slides and swings for children’s entertainment.
These areas are not only a source of entertainment for kids, but the elders can also meet their friends and family and spend quality time together.
Urban Forests
Urban forests are the forests that are planted in the urban setting. As the natural growth of these forests is slow, these forests are grown artificially so that they can reduce pollution, improve biodiversity, clean the air, and decrease the temperature of the cities.
In cities, urban forests can be installed in the form of trees, roadside plantations, parks, and conservation areas. In Pakistan, several projects for the plantation of trees are making it possible.
Wetlands
A small portion or area of land that is filled with water for later use in the year is known as a wetland. Some wetlands are permanently filled with water, while others are occasionally filled with rain or flood water.
These wetlands grow some plants that are essential and can change themselves onto low-oxygen soil. The breeding and feeding of certain wildlife and marine life are dependent on wetlands.
Urban Greenery
Urban greenery includes green belts, vegetation, and trees on pavements. The plantation of trees and green walls outside buildings add to the green spaces in cities.
The government and non-government institutions have launched several projects to increase green spaces in cities across Pakistan.
Read also: Nova City Islamabad
Benefits of Parks and Green Spaces
Green spaces are essential as they play a vital role in maintaining climate change and protecting the Earth. Some of the key benefits of green spaces are as follows:
Regulating the Temperature
The temperature of the world is increasing day by day. The issue of climate change is real. Other problems are increasing temperature, among which is the declining greenery, including trees, forests, and green vegetation.
Because of the increased population in cities, the temperature is rising, which is known as the “urban heat island effect.” This is making a comfortable and satisfying life in cities a dream.
Looking at this situation, it is clear how green spaces are essential for human survival in cities. The green patches, wetlands, parks, gardens, forests, trees, and urban greenery will decrease or at least regulate the temperature in the urban setting.
Improving the Air Quality
Polluted air is very harmful to human health. Emissions from cars and factories and burning fossil fuels pollute the air. Human health is declining in cities faster than in rural areas.
Green spaces filter the air and provide clean air for breathing purposes. The trees and green vegetation should be encouraged in industrial areas so that the lifestyle of the people can be improved.
Preventing Water Pollution and Flood
Due to the absence of green spaces, water pollution and flooding have risen in cities. Water contamination has become a primary cause of different water-borne diseases, and flooding has disturbed the day-to-day activities of the citizens.
Green spaces such as forests, trees, parks, gardens, and greenery are responsible for preventing floods as it helps in retaining, absorbing, and filtering. It helps in removing the contaminants from water.
Upgrading the Mental Health
Green spaces play an essential role in upgrading the mental health of human beings. Notably, in cities, people are always busy and surrounded by noise, dust, and other pollutants that affect their physical health and mental health.
When citizens are surrounded by green spaces in the busy locality of cities, it relaxes their mind and let them focus more on their work. So green spaces, such as parks, green belts, wetlands, and gardens, are an essential need of city life.
Conclusion
Green spaces are essential in cities. They clean the environment, protect the Earth from flooding, upgrade your mental and physical health, and add aesthetic value to the city. Green spaces should be highly encouraged in the cities.
