The Importance of Green Spaces in Urban Settings
In our bustling urban landscapes, green spaces—such as parks—play a crucial role in the city. Beyond just being pleasant to look at, these green havens contribute significantly to the health and well-being of both city dwellers and the environment at large. Urban settings are characterized by their dense infrastructure and high concentration of people, often at the expense of natural environments. Green spaces, therefore, serve as essential oases amidst the concrete jungles, providing a range of benefits that are integral to sustainable urban development. Green spaces in urban settings are essential in providing environmental benefits, social benefits, and economic benefits. Every neighborhood deserves to experience the benefits green spaces offer.
What is green space?
Green space is community space consisting of land (such as parks) rather than buildings. Green spaces are comprised of forests, parks large and small, and even community gardens. These are spaces where growth, activity, and exploration are promoted. Parks & People is a nonprofit in Baltimore that understands the value of urban green space and its benefits. That’s why Parks & People is dedicated to improving Baltimore through green space and education.
“Green spaces bring nature and all its benefits to the urban landscape.”
What are the benefits of green space: The role of green spaces in city life
Environmental Benefits of Green Space
Improving Air quality
Urban green spaces have a variety of positive benefits that contribute to environmental benefits. One benefit is the improvement of air quality. Green spaces act as natural air purifiers, absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. Research by Fields in Trust highlights that Britain’s parks and green areas capture a significant amount of carbon annually, equivalent to removing hundreds of thousands of cars from the road each year. This helps mitigate climate change and improve local air quality.
Regulating urban temperatures
Another positive benefit urban parks have on the environment is the temperature regulation they provide. The shading provided by trees and plants not only cools the surrounding air but also enhances thermal comfort for pedestrians. Additionally, vegetation absorbs water and releases it through evapotranspiration, converting sensible heat into latent heat and thereby reducing urban heat island effects. This natural cooling effect is crucial in combating rising urban temperatures. Parks allow for the already high temperatures in cities due to the concrete absorbing heat to cool down, combating rising temperatures. On average, areas with more trees and green spaces can be 5 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit cooler (Source). In Baltimore, 127,000 residents live in parts of the city in which the temperature hits 9 degrees hotter than what the forecast says (Source). Urban green space provides relief from summer heat.
Managing stormwater runoff
Green spaces play a crucial role in managing stormwater runoff in urban environments. Unlike impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, which prevent water from soaking into the ground, green areas allow rainwater to infiltrate the soil. This reduces the volume and speed of runoff, helping to prevent flooding and decreasing the burden on urban drainage systems. Additionally, vegetation and soil in green spaces naturally filter pollutants from stormwater, improving water quality before it reaches rivers, lakes, or groundwater. By mitigating runoff, green spaces contribute to healthier urban water cycles and reduce the risk of water pollution and erosion.
Supporting biodiversity
Even though cities are vast in concrete, parks allow for more wildlife and vegetation to grow through the use of parks, which positively impacts the environment. Contrary to common belief, urban areas can support diverse ecosystems when landscaped with native plants. This biodiversity supports a healthy environment by maintaining ecological balance and enhancing resilience against environmental stresses. Green spaces in cities act as habitats for various species, contributing to overall biodiversity conservation efforts.
“At their best, beyond the ecological services such as reducing ambient temperatures and reducing the flashiness of flood events, these [green] spaces provide everyone with the space to explore and interface with nature in their own communities and at their own pace”
Social Benefits of Green Space
Enhancing physical health
Access to parks in urban settings helps increase physical activity among residents. Parks help to create environments that support active lifestyles and improve access to exercise opportunities. Parks also offer a variety of different activities, such as large fields for sports, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and a variety of facilities for the public to use for free. These spaces are free for anyone to use, which promotes the use of these spaces to help stay active and increase physical activity.
Boosting mental health
Parks offer more than just physical health benefits but also offer mental health benefits. Studies have shown that taking a walk in parks has been found to reduce stress by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) levels by 15%. The combination of being outside and moving along with the relaxing atmosphere found in a beautiful green space helps to decrease stress. Studies have also shown that spending time in parks helps to improve cognitive functions due to the atmosphere and being able to socialize with others.
Sparking Wonder
The feeling of wonder that nature provides is a powerful and transformative experience. Wonder can inspire curiosity, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us. In urban green spaces, this sense of wonder can be particularly impactful, offering a space away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It encourages people to slow down, observe, and connect with their surroundings, fostering mindfulness and a sense of peace. Cultivating wonder in urban areas, through green spaces, can significantly contribute to lifelong learning by fostering a continuous sense of curiosity and engagement with the environment.
Strengthening community bonds
Parks serve as communal spaces where people can gather, socialize, and participate in community events. They foster a sense of belonging and community cohesion, contributing to social well-being and mental resilience among urban residents. Parks hold a variety of events throughout the year that encourage the community to come and gather in parks, further strengthening the sense of community.
“Growing up in Baltimore City, parks were more than just green spaces—they were where we played basketball, had cookouts, and came together as a community. These spaces are essential, providing places to connect, stay active, and enjoy the outdoors. Investing in urban green spaces means creating healthier, stronger communities for everyone.”
Economic and Urban Planning Benefits of Green Space
Urban development and sustainability
For sustainable growth, green infrastructure and green spaces must be incorporated into urban planning frameworks. Together with conventional infrastructure, green infrastructure—such as rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, and permeable pavements—helps address environmental issues like air pollution, stormwater runoff, and warming urban temperatures. Long-term urban livability, resilience, and environmental sustainability are guaranteed by policies that protect current green spaces and establish new ones. Over time, cities become more livable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable when they place equal emphasis on maintaining their current green spaces and putting green infrastructure in place.
Promoting environmental justice
Ensuring equitable access to green spaces across urban areas is essential for addressing social disparities and promoting environmental justice. Everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or location within the city, should have access to the health and well-being benefits that green spaces offer.
Creating jobs & capital
Parks and recreation drive significant economic activity. Local public park and recreation agencies in the United States generated nearly $201 billion in economic activity and supported almost 1.1 million jobs that boosted labor income by more than $63 billion from their operations and capital spending in 2021. (Source)
Urban Community Development: Building Sustainable Cities with Green Spaces
Green spaces are not just patches of grass and trees—they are essential components of thriving urban environments. From mitigating environmental impacts to promoting physical and mental health, these areas contribute significantly to the quality of life in cities. As urban populations continue to grow, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize the preservation, creation, and equitable distribution of green spaces. By investing in and safeguarding these valuable resources, we can build healthier, happier, and more sustainable cities for generations to come.
“In urban settings like Baltimore City, green spaces act as “nodes of solace” to an already heavily disinvested and historically neglected city landscape. Investing in green spaces is not just about beautification, it’s a step forward toward environmental justice and community revitalization.”
Parks & People and Urban Green Space in Baltimore City
Through thoughtful urban planning and community engagement, we can ensure that green spaces remain integral to the fabric of our cities, offering respite, recreation, and rejuvenation amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. Parks & People is supporting urban green space in communities across Baltimore City that have not had access to the same resources as wealthier neighborhoods. Through private and public partnerships and the support of engaged communities, Baltimore will become a green urban haven where nature is part of every neighborhood.
“Green spaces help lower temperatures, improve air quality, reduce crime, and support physical and mental well-being. Urban residents, like those in Baltimore City, deserve safe, vibrant outdoor spaces – and children specifically should have outdoor spaces to play, learn and grow.”
