A green space, also known as an open space, is any open piece of land that is undeveloped (has no buildings or other built structures) and is accessible to the public. It is an area of grass, trees, or other vegetation set apart for recreational or aesthetic purposes in an otherwise urban environment. Green spaces make up many parts of our cities and towns, which include:

• Schoolyards

• Community/private gardens

• Cemeteries

• Parks

• wetlands

• Playgrounds

• Public seating areas

• Public plazas

• Vacant lots

Trees and other plants are allowed to flourish in a green space such as a park

Urban green spaces are considered to be one aspect of the city environment that is dynamic in daily life for people living in urban areas. They provide recreational areas for residents and help to enhance the beauty and environmental quality of neighbourhoods. They also play an important role in creating healthier and more liveable communities by providing a positive environment with health, social and economic benefits. For example, green spaces can be used for physical activity, relaxation, peace, and an escape from the heat. Studies have shown that these spaces reduce stress and boost mental and physical health. 

 

Environmental benefits of green spaces

• Improvement of air quality

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and many other pollutants from the air. Through photosynthesis, the plants produce the oxygen we breathe in. By having green spaces in urbanised areas, plants and greenery are providing us with better-quality breathing air.

• Provision of shade and reduction of urban heat

Trees, green roofs, and　vegetation can help reduce urban heat island effects by shading building surfaces, deflecting the radiation from the sun, and releasing moisture into the atmosphere.

• Mitigate flooding

The soil and roots of trees improve groundwater infiltration, whilst their branches and leaves intercept rainfall and evapotranspire water back into the atmosphere. This green solution attenuates the intensity of pluvial flooding by slowing and storing water during intense rainfall events.

• Noise reduction

Greenspace can mitigate noise in urban areas. Planting “noise buffers” composed of trees and shrubs can reduce noise by five to ten decibels for every 30m width of woodland, especially sharp tones, and this reduces noise to the human ear by approximately 50%. 

Green spaces are good for the environment

 Social and health benefits

Green spaces improve workplace productivity in a business environment, studies have shown that desk workers with a view of nature either out a window or around them in the form of indoor plants feel more relaxed than desk workers with no visibility of plants or nature.

Studies have also proven that green spaces tend to improve health and hasten recovery, cities where people have easy access to green spaces boast of better health and lower mortality rate.  

Impact of Green Spaces on Climate Change

We all know that our climatic condition continues to deteriorate as the days go by mainly due to our day-to-day practice as an urbanised world but what if we tell you that green spaces have a very important role to play in climate change?

Green infrastructure supplies a route to climate change adaptation that can be applied across a range of urban settings, helping to reduce urban temperatures and carbon emissions

Green space is a cost-effective way of moderating harsh climates at a local level. Trees and vegetation have a natural cooling effect as they provide shade, potentially reducing surface temperature, by 5°C, to 20°C. In addition, evapotranspiration ( total water loss to the atmosphere from a land surface) from vegetation consumes a significant proportion of the available heat energy in the atmosphere. This energy is used to convert water in the leaves into water vapour, which is then transpired through the trees. For some locations, it has been estimated that evapotranspiration can reduce peak summer temperatures by 5°C.

Increasing the amount of green cover and open spaces can help to combat the effects of climate change. This is achieved by providing natural cooling of air and surfaces, supporting water management in urban areas and capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This will help to keep our cities and towns resilient and liveable in the future. 

Vegetation included in urban design has the added benefit of absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, helping to limit the rate of climate change. A mature tree can absorb up to 150 kg of carbon dioxide every year and thus,  planting 12 trees can offset one year’s worth of a person’s entire carbon dioxide emissions. 

Green spaces are undoubtedly vital for improving the habitability of urban areas due to their environmental, recreational, health as well as social benefits. It is important that they are always incorporated in urban planning and protected by everyone in the community. 

 

Habeebullahi is a Program Assistant at GHI headquarters, Abuja. He’s passionate about new ideas, fresh starts and learning new things.