A great outdoor is something that most probably every one of us wants. We crave something to look at and appreciate. We adore places where we can sit down, gather, talk and interact with many people. It helps us come out of our solitude and be more social

Living in a city full of houses and roads, we rarely find a good green space. Not all of us have access to this luxury. People have even started creating small gardens to gain health benefits. People felt the necessity of this during the pandemic of COVID-19. People started looking for an outdoor space to roam, and obviously, it was suffocating to stay inside four walls for not just days but months and even years. They came up with the idea of rooftop farming, small gardens and walks in the public parks. It is more difficult for people living in an urban sprawl than for someone living in rural areas to have an open space and gather around with their neighbours for a talk.

 

We all are aware that nature brings out the best in us. Mother nature features breathtaking views and brings us mental, physical and emotional well-being. Every one of us connects with nature in one way. But only planting a few trees doesn’t help. Experts agree that creating an urban green space is far more complicated than the plantation of trees in a few spots. If we correctly create green spaces around the city, it helps to improve people’s health, renew ecosystems, and boost the economy. If not done correctly, it worsens the ecological and socio-economic problems and even creates new ones.

 

As the crisis rose, people knew the importance of a wide-open area. They started taking a walk and going to public parks. Connecting with everyone around us and sharing experiences is what we all saw during and even after COVID-19. The citizens became more conscious of their environment and realized the value of fresh surroundings. They even contributed to building one in their areas. 

 

Experts say that green space helps to lower premature mortality and increase life expectancy. It also benefits mental health and better cognitive functioning of children and the elderly. It reduces noise levels, air pollution and even the heat. Other benefits are that it creates opportunities to come together and interact socially.

 

“Green spaces and other nature-based solutions offer innovative approaches to increase the quality of urban settings, enhance local resilience and promote sustainable lifestyles, improving health and the well-being of urban residents. Parks, playgrounds or vegetation in public and private places are a central component of these approaches and can help to ensure that:

  •  Urban residents have adequate opportunities for exposure to nature.
  •  Urban biodiversity is maintained and protected.
  •  Environmental hazards such as air pollution or noise reduction.
  •  The impacts of extreme weather events (heatwaves, heavy rainfall or flooding) mitigate.
  •  The quality of urban living is enhanced. 
  •  The health and well-being of residents are improved. -WHO[B1] 

 

 [B1]BOX TEXT