As of 2020, around 80% of Americans lived in what could be categorized as an “urban” area, according to the Census Bureau. To be classified as urban, a city must have either a population over 5,000 or a “minimum housing unit threshold of 2,000 housing units.”
Unfortunately with urbanization comes the lessening of green spaces such as parks, forests or lands not overrun by concrete. These spaces can be anything from a backyard or vacant lot to a community garden or a park. Higher access and abundance of these resources can lead to the slowing of a warming climate, cleaner air and water, more native species and an improvement in mental and physical health.
Heat islands, or as the EPA defines them, “structures such as buildings, roads and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as forests and water bodies,” are one of the key points for the necessity of urban green spaces.
Since vegetation absorbs heat and provides shade in the case of trees and shrubbery, the air around these areas can be up to 0.94 C (1.7 F) cooler than in heat islands. Along with soaking up the heat, plants also absorb carbon, another way they help to slow our ever-warming climate.
Over a year, the average tree can absorb 22 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, according to forestry specialist Ross Bernet. Assuming your local park has 150 trees, that is roughly 3,300 pounds of carbon sequestered, not including other plants like bushes, grasses and flowers.
By reducing the amount of materials we are putting into the effort of building cities and focusing more on green spaces, air and water pollution can be significantly reduced. Along with sequestering carbon, vegetation also absorbs other pollutants in the air such as smog and smoke. Instead of rain falling onto concrete and standing idle, green areas soak in that water, not allowing it to overflow and mix with sewage and other drainage.
While green spaces in urban settings are important, it is also important that the right types of vegetation are planted. Instead of planting things for looks and aesthetics, it is best to plant species native to your region.
Overall, native plants require less maintenance, are more resilient to your local climate and encourage native wildlife to return and look better. The act of “guerrilla gardening,” or planting native species in unoccupied areas, has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Finally, green spaces in urban areas come with many direct benefits to the people around them. By having access to places where people are encouraged to get outside, green spaces allow for better physical recreation, leading to overall better health in a population. Studies have shown that time outside also helps with mental well-being, as does physical activity. According to the USDA, along with mental benefits, access to green spaces encourages more social behavior.
From helping native plants and wildlife to improving overall well-being on a personal and environmental level, green spaces in urban areas have an array of benefits. So, to any city planners, instead of using that vacant land in town as a new parking lot, how about putting a park, community garden or grove of native plants and trees in its place.
Ethan Herx is a freshman studying media arts production and photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherx.
