Several studies show that people who have a stronger “nature orientation” are more likely to use green space. They also tend to have children and be active in their communities.

Unfortunately, the benefits of urban green spaces are not evenly distributed. For example, Central Park was built on land seized from a black/African American community through eminent domain. London green city
1. They Improve Air Quality

The presence of trees and other vegetation in cities helps improve air quality through a variety of mechanisms, including: filtering water, reducing erosion and runoff, stabilizing soil, and absorbing and decomposing pollutants. Moreover, by providing a large surface area for absorption of moisture, urban green spaces can help to reduce temperature and provide cooling.

People enjoy the benefits of public green space for many reasons, including health-related ones. Specifically, green space can be used to escape from social or physical stressors, which may act as a buffer against negative mood and perceived life events [1]. Appreciation of nature for its aesthetic and symbolic qualities is another motivating factor, as well as the desire to relax and practice mindfulness in natural environments, which has been linked to attention restoration and a sense of mental well-being.

In addition, the cooling effects of urban green spaces can have a positive impact on respiratory and cardiovascular health, as well as reduce the risk of heat-related illness. Furthermore, parks and other green spaces are important sources of recreation, and their use is linked to pro-environmental behaviors, particularly in youth.

Urban green space is a valuable resource that can be used to address the challenges of urbanization. However, it is crucial to develop policies and infrastructure that promote and facilitate equitable access to parks and other green spaces. Done right, this is a win-win solution: it will benefit human health and wellbeing, revitalize urban ecosystems, and boost a city’s economy. To this end, NRPA launched the 10-Minute Walk Campaign to ensure there is a great park within 10 minutes of everyone in every neighborhood. More than 230 mayors have signed the pledge.
2. They Reduce Noise

Urban green spaces have the potential to provide many ecosystem services. These benefits range from filtering water and reducing toxins to cooling cities and reducing the heat-island effect. They can also serve as recreation space and increase property values. They can even be used as an alternative to conventional waste disposal. They can also serve as a buffer against anthropogenic noise pollution, such as airplanes and traffic.

Urbanization has increased the world’s anthropogenic noise levels, negatively affecting animal species. Human-created noise disturbs animals and prevents them from using natural sounds for hunting, hiding, finding food, mating, or escaping predators. In addition, it disrupts their ability to communicate with each other and other animals.

Research shows that acoustic disturbances from human activities are among the most important factors in birds’ habitat loss. However, the good news is that noise regulation can help restore urban bird populations. For example, a recent study found that if average noise levels in Santiago green spaces dropped below 52 dB, native birds were more likely to reach higher abundances than exotic ones.

The benefits of urban parks are vast. In addition to providing recreation and reducing noise pollution, they can improve our overall quality of life by decreasing stress and depression and increasing social interaction. Moreover, they reduce the effects of air pollution by absorbing harmful toxins and reducing their amount. They can also provide protection against floods and droughts by reducing sediments in water bodies. In the end, urban parks allow us to reconnect with nature, and we cannot forget how vital that connection is to our health. In fact, as Bill McKibben says in his book The End of Nature, we can only understand nature if we immerse ourselves within it.
3. They Reduce Stress

Urban green spaces provide a respite from the smog, noise and bustle of cities. They can be a welcome relief from the hum of traffic, the whirring of machinery or the shouting of children. Studies show that living closer to nature can alleviate stress levels, and that those who visit green spaces regularly benefit from a greater sense of well-being.

Urban residents can benefit from a wide variety of experiences in nature: from relaxing on a bench under a tree to hiking through mountain trails and even simply walking through the neighbourhood park. People who spend time in nature can gain a better understanding of the importance of maintaining ecosystems and how humans interact with them. It can also increase ecological awareness and promote a deeper appreciation of natural beauty, allowing visitors to better understand why preserving natural areas is so important.

Regular visits to urban green space can also enhance social interaction, improving mental health and wellbeing. One study found that parks remove the sense of social isolation experienced by some people and contribute to improved social cohesion. Frequent use of green spaces also helps improve the ability to think and reduces fatigue, which may be related to a decrease in blood pressure (Dadvand et al., 2019).

However, access to urban green space varies across communities, with less and lower quality green space typically found in areas of lower socio-economic status. It is vital to address this in order to maximise the health and wellbeing benefits of urban green spaces. This work can be achieved through community involvement in the design and management of green spaces, as well as ensuring that all communities are given equal opportunity to access high-quality green spaces.
4. They Increase Social Interaction

A major problem that affects the health of urban residents is social isolation. Studies have shown that green spaces can provide ideal platforms for social interaction and promote social well-being. However, a study conducted in 2019 revealed that not all urban neighborhoods have equal access to green spaces. This is especially true for neighborhoods that are composed of high numbers of immigrants and minorities.

Urban parks can increase social interactions, but only if they are properly maintained and accessible to everyone. As such, a recent study suggested that cities should adopt the “3-30-300” rule: Everyone should be able to see three trees from their home, every neighborhood should have at least 30% tree coverage, and people should be able to reach a 1ha green area within 300 meters of their homes (Konijnendijk, 2020).

Respondents’ evaluations of urban parks seemed to reflect a utilitarian perspective. They valued the parks as quiet “oases of peace” for times of solitude, and they appreciated the beauty of the green environment. They also viewed the parks as places where they could enjoy nature in a way that is safe for them, especially when visiting with children.

Furthermore, respondents reported that they preferred the parks that were well-maintained and equipped with a variety of amenities, such as paved pathways, seating areas, picnic shelters, and shade trees. By contrast, they tended to dislike the parks that were overcrowded and littered with garbage.

Moreover, they were distrustful of the city’s initiative to plant new green space in their neighborhoods, since previous experiences had been disappointing. Many of them believed that the city would neglect or misuse the plants once they were planted.
5. They Promote Health

Urban parks provide a variety of benefits that promote healthy living. They help people feel happier, reduce their risk of disease, increase physical activity, and improve mental health. Urban residents who live close to green space have lower rates of obesity and chronic illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes. In addition, they are more likely to spend time outdoors and have better ability to cope during stressful periods.

Modern research demonstrates that green spaces benefit public health by encouraging physical activity and social interaction, fostering well-being, and improving common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. In fact, a recent study found that individuals who lived closer to a park reported feeling less anxious, stressed, and depressed than those who did not have access to green space (Taylor et al., 2020).

Moreover, the presence of urban parks is associated with increased levels of community health and happiness. This is because parks attract tourists and residents, which in turn, boost economic development and contribute to a healthier urban environment.

Additionally, the natural cooling effects of green spaces and vegetation are important for city-wide sustainability goals. The shade provided by trees and grass is essential for reducing urban temperatures, and the cooling effect is multiplied when green space is used frequently.

However, the availability of urban parks and their benefits remain inequitable for many communities. For example, parks in neighborhoods with a high proportion of low-income or racial/ethnic minority residents are typically smaller and less accessible than those in wealthier areas. This limits the opportunity to enjoy the health and wellness benefits of green spaces, especially during times of emergency or pandemic. Fortunately, several efforts are underway to address this challenge, such as promoting affordable park-building initiatives and developing new parks in neighborhoods with low-income residents.