The Need for Green Spaces in Urban Planning - Literature review Example

The Need for Green Spaces in Urban Planning Name Institution Introduction Urbanization is growing very fast globally, and the process is unfortunately causing negative effects on the environment (Rakhshandehroo et al., 2015). The percentage of people in urban areas globally is expected to reach almost 70% by 2050, leading to more expansion or densification of cities and towns (Haaland & Van den Bosch, 2015). The reason for going to cities is that they are assumed to provide better quality of life, but the reality is that they are getting more unhealthy, conflictive and unmanageable (Gomez et al., 2011). Urban planning therefore has the objective of improving the well-being of citizens by helping to avoid illnesses related to poor sanitation, overcrowding and pollution (Govindarajulu, 2014). One of the ways of dealing with the environmental changes in cities healthier is increasing the number of open, green spaces in urban plans. This paper discusses the importance of having green spaces in Australian urban planning, giving the example of one success in New York City. Green Spaces and Urban Planning With increased migration to urban areas, there is the need for even more sustainable urban development. This requires the making of systems that are more resource-efficient, and also urban designs which will create attractive cities in which quality of life is good (Haaland & Van den Bosch, 2015). Urban planning today is therefore very concerned about the environment. Having a green space is a kind of ‘soft engineering’ approach to climatic adaptation, and is therefore a useful part of urban planning (Govindarajulu, 2014). According to Campbell (1996), it is however faced with the challenge of balancing between three conflicting interests. These are facilitating economic growth, distributing the growth evenly and avoiding degradation of the ecosystem. Rakhshandehroo et al. (2015) add that open, urban green spaces have had a changing role over the years and are considered important element in sustainable city models. The idea of sustainable city models has in the last few years become very acceptable and popular. Green space planning has an objective of the improvement of quality of life in cities. According to global standards, this requires 33% of green cover in the urban areas. Green space per capita needs to be ideally over 20 square metres, or at least provision of 1.25 hectares open space for every 1000 people, located within 250 metres from residential areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends green space of 9 square metres per capita. The implication for 21st century urban planning is that there is need for more insights into the ecological, social and economic aspects which enable sustainability in urban form (Govindarajulu, 2014). The Problem in Australia Suburban and urban expansion destroys native ecosystems. In Australia, there is a loss of open, private spaces in the suburbs, especially in older residential addresses. For example in Adelaide, private green spaces have been disappearing, which is a problem because such areas generally have minimum sizes of public green spaces anyway. Newly developed areas on their part have smaller backyards, which is a disadvantage because it generally leads to losses in ecosystem services such as temperature regulation, air quality and biodiversity that are provided by private gardens. With an increase in infill development, there has been the clearing of all vegetation on exploited sites. There has also been no interest in, or provision of economic incentives for real estate investors to preserve available green spaces. There are further no regulations to prevent disappearance of such spaces, leading to lower living standards of entire neighbourhoods (Haaland & Van den Bosch, 2015). Importance of Green Spaces Vegetation and landscape are however important in ensuring better quality of life. According to Rakhshandehroo et al. (2015), green, open urban spaces in cities are like ‘lungs of urban areas’ and are therefore a common subject in debates around sustainable development and urban planning, especially because urbanization has made concrete more common than nature in some places. This is more the case because according to Baycan-Levent & Nijkamp (2009), the current general definition of health goes beyond the absence of disease, to include mental and social well-being. According to Haifeng et al. (2015), green space contributes greatly to ensuring sustainable development through provision of multiple recreational and environmental benefits. Urban landscape planners have the ability to ensure harmonious and effective ecological networks while maintaining sustainable living environments in the context of quick urbanization. Green spaces and trees are important in urban planning as they have the ability of improving the quality of life and well-being of populations (Littke, 2015). According to Baycan-Levent & Nijkamp (2009), the benefits are multidimensional. Socially, contact with natural space helps to reduce the effects of fatigue, speed up recovery after stress and reduce the rates of violence and aggression within cities. Green spaces also offer play areas for children hence facilitating their social, physical and mental well-being. Cultural life is improved as they act as venues for theatrical performances, civic celebrations and local festivals. Economically, they promote social well-being through reduction of infrastructural provision and urban sprawl, attract investment, increase property value, stimulate local economies and boost tourism. From the planning side, they help to promote city or town identity, hence boosting its attractiveness, leading to greater competitiveness. Most famous cities for instance also tend to be known because of open spaces, for instance the Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London. According to Rakhshandehroo et al. (2015), green spaces are important because they encourage social interaction. This is because they are usually places where people meet either informally or formally. They also provide a space for cultural expression, political discussion and socialization. The good trees, shade and grass encourage people to stay outside more, and this increases social interaction in communities. To Govindarajulu (2014), urban green spaces have the effect of enriching the recreational and aesthetic avenues for communities, while boosting the overall well-being of people staying in urban areas. In Rakhshandehroo et al. (2015)’s opinion, open spaces are a factor for improving social cohesion as people who share social activities become more together. Open green spaces are also a major part of urban and community development, which can be used in removing social distinctions. They promote justice by encouraging people to become closer to one another as a community. Further, Accidents are reduced through green urban area planning. Trees usually provide a vertical wall, which creates boundaries that encourage drivers to reduce speed, and also provide a movement guide so that drivers and pedestrians are distinguished better. The greenery has an aesthetic value, and human beings like being attached to beautiful natural features. The ecological benefits of green spaces are however the most notable. Haifeng et al. (2015), explains that as a component of the ecosystem, a green space helps to moderate some of the negative effects of human activity. According to Campbell (1996), green spaces have the ability to improve the urban climate, reducing its negative features and generally minimizing environmental damage that comes with city growth. Their aesthetic function also helps to reduce the built-up nature of cities, by redefining nature and settlements. Rakhshandehroo et al. (2015) observe that green spaces help to reinforce carbon sequestration as a process, and also help to minimize the effects of climatic change. They improve hydrology of urban areas by reducing surface runoff and therefore offering some groundwater recharge. A green space will act as a buffer during extreme events for instance floods, and during storms it will act as a natural water drain. This in turn reduces climate-related risks of disaster for towns and cities, through a kind of climatic adaptation. The Case of New York One example of a city that has managed to uphold the value of green spaces in urban planning is New York City. According to Rutkoff (2011), it has the reputation of being one of the best in green space provision, with its five boroughs hosting some of the most environmentally friendly land use regimes and transportation systems. This is good in relation to urban planning because according to Campbell (1996), the presence of green space within peoples’ living environments is a valuable environmental factor which moderates the effects of stressful events on human health and also those of climatic change. The city has most of the components discusses as having a positive contribution to urban planning, although only a few examples of the green spaces are discussed here. Some green spaces for example the Prospect and Central Park are created to preserve the kind of serene woodland found there, while also offering a wide field for relaxation. Others such as the Brooklyn Bridge Park provide additional recreational facilities. For instance, the park has, as a major attraction, the Jane’s carousel, a merry go round that was restored from the 1920’s. Its Pier 5 is made for active recreation and since its making in 2012, has offered a playground and sports fields. Another section, Pier 2, provides a skating rink and basketball courts. Open-air literary readings and outdoor movie screenings are also done there. Central park also has rocks, streams and winding trails which offer a good chance of adventure for visitors. Apart from just large fields, the Corona Park on its part provides a boating lake, skating park, playfields, a zoo, hockey and aquatic centres. Another outdoor park, the High Line was opened up in 2009 and comprises of serene gardens, dotted with outdoor sculptures and benches on which visitors sit and watch the Hudson River. There are also shallow swimming pools and a food court. The Hudson River Park is on its part a waterfront in which visitors can bike, skate or walk. Kayak rides and youth sports are offered (Anthony, 2016). Conclusion With increased urbanization, there has been more pressure on the environment, and this has negatively affected both the people and nature. In Australia it has contributed to disappearance of green spaces. Green spaces bring benefits in terms of recreation and sports, natural environment preservation, storm water management and sustainable city management in general. Urban planning is aimed at ensuring the best conditions for the people’s overall health and therefore its decisions influence physical activity, health and exposure to disease. Cities such as New York have already realized the value of green spaces. In these, recreation is also provided, and the relaxing nature of such areas helps to deal with the stress of urban life hence promoting self-perceptions of health and mental well-being. The best approach to urban planning is where aesthetic, social and ecological aspects are considered. Green spaces need to be considered in urban planning for the sake of the health of cities and the people living in them. References Anthony, J. (2016). The Best NYC Parks. Accessed on 13 May 2016 from Baycan-Levent, T and Nijkamp, P. (2009). Planning and Management of Urban Green Spaces. Journal of Urban Planning and Development. Vol. 135 (1), 1-13 Campbell, S. (1996). Green Cities, Growing Cities, Just Cities? Urban Planning and the Contradictions of Sustainable Development. Journal of the American Planning Association. Vol. 62 (3), 296 - 312 Gomez, F, Jabaloyes, J , Vicente, Vicente and Valcuende, M. (2011). Green Areas, the Most Significant Indicator of the Sustainability of Cities: Research. on their Utility for Urban Planning. Journal of Urban Planning. Vol. 137 (3), 311-329 Govindarajulu, D. (2014). Urban Green Space Planning For Climate Adaptation in Indian Cities. Urban Climate. Vol. 10 (1), 35–41 Haaland, C and Van den Bosch, C. (2015). Challenges and Strategies for Urban Green-space Planning in Cities Undergoing Densification: A Review. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. Vol. 14 (4), 760–771 Haifeng, L, Wenbo, C and Wei, H. (2015). Planning of Green Space Ecological Network in Urban Areas: An Example of Nanchang, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Vol. 12 (10), 12889-12904 Littke, H. (2015). Planning the Green Walkable City: Conceptualizing Values and Conflicts for Urban Green Space Strategies in Stockholm. Sustainability. Vol. 7, 11306-11320 Rakhshandehroo, M, Mohdyusof, M, Tahir, O and Yunos, M. (2015). The Social Benefits of Urban Open Green Spaces: A Literature Review. Management Research and Practice. Vol. 7 (4), 60-71 Rutkoff, A. (2011). NYC Emerges as ‘Green City’ Leader. Accessed on 13 May 2016 from Read More