The Importance of Open Green Spaces in Urban Areas
Question:
Discuss about the Green Spaces In Urban Centres.
A submission to the New South Wales parliament: inquiry into opening up public green spaces for development and whether they should allow developers to buy parks and build apartments.
As an engaged citizen who is well versed and knowledgeable on matters pertaining health, I decided to provide my submission. The sole reason and idea are to help the government make the right and an informed decision on whether they should open the public green spaces and if they’ should allow developers to buy parks and build apartment. I have worked in different departments of health and did a lot of research, on the environment and the effect on the health of an individual. I am a senior clinician with an experience of over ten years.All the information that is provided in this submission is true and scientifically proved through research done in different parts of the world (Ferrer, 2018).
An open space is an open land that is not yet developed. There are no buildings or structures in the area. It is normally accessed by the public. A green space is the piece of land covered by grass, shrubs, trees or other vegetation either partially or completely. Examples of the green spaces include public seating areas, playgrounds, schoolyards vacant lots etc. it is a critical issue for urban centres like the towns and cities to lack safe open green spaces for the purposes of recreation.
Social determinants of health are the social factors that influence how to fit an individual is physical, mentally and emotionally. They determine the health outcomes and are much linked to the public policies of health and easily understood by the people. They address the distribution and impact of different resources in the society.
In the last few years, people have done a commendable job in research with an aim of exploiting real value of green spaces in urban centres in terms of health and general wellbeing. They also assist a lot in countering the heat in urban areas by compensating for the greenhouse emissions. It is essential to note that different types of green spaces have a lot of influence in determining the kind of social interactions among people of different ages, religions etc. social interactions that are held regularly form the foundation of good ties within a community. It creates a social capital while at the same time having a sense of belonging and identity (Frumkin, 2016).
The people who frequently use the green spaces do not use it the same way. According to some studies, there is a correct way of using the facility. The green spaces should be used to appreciate nature and the entire creation. There are users who look at the green spaces as the sports ground, to organize different entertainment events. (Koudounas, 2015).What determines how public green spaces are used is complicated. The availability of the facility is the most crucial requirement. The size also determines a lot depending on the group that wishes to use it and for what purpose. Large green spaces are used for physical exercise while those of small sizes are used for resting and socializing. Accessibility has also been listed among the major determinant of how the green spaces are used. The factor considered here is the distance between where the facility is located and the person’s home. People who live near the green spaces are likely to make use of it and visit it frequently compared to those who live far away (Gascon et al 2016).
Social Determinants of Health and Green Spaces
Some epidemics like mental illness and obesity are affecting a significant population in both developing and developed countries around the globe. It is worrying that the rise of the rate in which people are getting obese is alarming with some statistics revealing that about twenty-five percent of the adult population in England and approximately a third in the USA are affected. Besides this, psychiatric illnesses such as stress and depression are prevalent in affecting an average of one person among every twenty. The two health issues are as a result of the lifestyle in a world that is highly urbanized (Head & Alford, 2015). World health organization in Europe classified stress and depression among the social determinants of health. According to their findings, people who live without stress are likely to be healthier than those who have a lot of stress in their lives. Green spaces are really important in urban areas since they provide people with a good environment for social interactions which are relevant in relaxing the brain. (Adler et al 2016). They allow people to experience some psychological restoration. In the past, great attention was directed to the characteristics or the types of green spaces in urban centres which influenced their usage. Such characteristics are the availability of facilities, quality, accessibility, security and attractiveness. Though the relationships are multifactorial and really complex, it is assumed casual (Head & Alford, 2015). Some studies were carried out which revealed that meditative walking around the forest and in an indoor environment had some remarkable positive impacts psychologically compared to the running. Other studies found out that walking around the green spaces reveal a reduced frustration and activates the entire functioning of the brain. Walking in cool green places was found among the best and most effective ways of increasing happiness. Psychologists maintain that a happy individual has a broader mind and determines the thinking pattern of a person and how they react to the general events of life (Van et al 2015).
Green spaces can be utilized by urban planners to fulfil a range of responsibilities such as recreation and social spaces. Recreational activities in the urban green spaces help reduce the health complications associated with lack of physical activity such as obesity. Physical activity is one of the social determinants of health. The world health organization in Europe outlined some social determinants of health like unemployment, health services, stress and social exclusion. A commission on social determinants under WHO identified the conditions of daily living such as decent working environment, fair employment, health physical environment and individual physical fitness as the leading social determinants of health. Studies have proved the urban environment to a large extent affect the physical activity (Mowen. & Rung 2016). The parks and green spaces provide the best places for people of any age, race, religion, gender or social class to get physically active. Some of the vigorous activities by children who are born and live in urban areas take place in the park and other green spaces. These places are quite important in towns and cities where accessing the open countryside for physical exercise is a little bit limited. Availability of this facilities has a significant influence on how frequent people exercise their bodies. They facilitate active lifestyle hence reducing the cases of overweight and obesity.it is particularly important to keep in mind that the parks and green spaces can be used for the purposes of therapy and rehabilitative exercise for people with coronary artery diseases, and type two diabetes mellitus (Tilman, &Clark, 2014).
The Positive Effects of Green Spaces on Mental Health
In the contemporary lifestyles that we have where everybody is so busy, there is every need of having some time out to relax. Studies held on those who have mental illnesses and those who are depressed show that there is some improvement in the cognitive function of individuals who have some time in green places.
Green spaces are very important in reducing the buildup of heat. They counter the effects of urban heat consequently decreasing the cost of energy used in cooling. Urban green spaces reduce the noise, air and water population. They also attenuate stormwater by downplaying the flood water. If landscaped properly they should reduce the nitrates that are absorbed into the water from the soil. They keep phosphorus pollutants from the ways used water hence reducing water pollution. This reduces the complications that are likely initiated by the presence of some gases and metals in water (Sallis et al 2016).
A report published in 2008 by a commission developed by the world health organization identified some two broad social determinants of health that needed to be addressed. One of them is the conditions of daily living such as a healthy physical environment, decent work, fair employment, and access to health care. The USA centre for disease control classifies some resources like housing health care, transportation and education among the social determinant of health. Most of the towns are largely populated and polluted with the high number of people who living congested houses that are built without considering the health of the people. If developers are allowed to build the apartment, they help in decongesting the over populated areas in the town. Several cities and towns around the world have the large demand for houses. The apartments built by the developers will help in providing millions of homes to the current population and even the generations to come. The government should regulate the kind of apartment that should be built as well as the number of people or at least number of families that should be allowed to live in them. Regulating the number of people living in specific green spaces that the government gives to the developers should be a priority. It will help the government officials given the responsibility of ensuring a clean environment to the residents does their job with some ease.
While it is out of goodwill that the government is willing to allow the developers to buy parks and build apartment .they should bear in mind some of the health repercussions it may bring. It would be wise if the government developed a policy that will give the guidelines on how the developers should also the land. Allowing the developers to buy the parks and build the house will reduce the congestion of people who live in the few available houses.it reduces the chances of contracting diseases some of the airborne and water-borne diseases in the population. The built apartments will be a big boost to the health conditions of the people because of the improved standards. If the green spaces are well planned and utilized, more services like health and education will reach to the people in their doorstep (Shanahan et al 2015).
The Role of Green Spaces in Physical Activity
Developers will bring more benefits to the residents other the disadvantages. They will create more jobs and opportunities for the young generation. The apartments will open a good land and space for investments which will create a lot of employment in those specific areas. Cases of depression and stress that are as a result of un-employment will consequently reduce. The people who will get the employment through these developers will in a good position to access good health facilities hence improving the health standards of the entire town or city.
Some developers have a tendency of taking the land from the government and eventually they change the purpose which the land was meant for. Before giving the land to the developers, the government should have a strategy to avoid developers who may start some industries which emit very poisonous gasses into the atmosphere.
In many parts of the world where the investors have been allowed to develop the green spaces in towns and cities, they have ended up violating most of the agreement especially those involving keeping the environment clean to avoid some health problems to the residents of the areas (Swanson et al 1997).
Though there is every need to have a good infrastructure, it is important that the government considers both the short-term and long-term effects on the health of human species if the green areas are opened for development.
The government should be careful not to give away all the green spaces in the urban for development. The green vegetation in the green spaces is really useful in reducing the greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. The policies on the environment also require the government to do everything possible to protect and preserve the environment. This will help in reducing the rate of some diseases like some types of cancer that are as a result of environmental pollution especially in the cities (Wells et al 2016).
Obesity and other diseases that are associated with the physical fitness of the body can be dealt with through physical exercise. The government should consider the health policies requiring them to provide people with enough recreation facilities. Instead of giving the few green spaces available for development, the government should try to increase them to accommodate a significant percentage of people in the town. The creation facilities around the town should be increased to match the population around the town and cater for all ages, races and religions. Through doing so all people will be active to exercise their bodies.
Health people 2020 policies demands good housing for all. It is really important for the government to provide good housing to all its citizens. In order to do this effectively, I recommend that the developers be allowed to build the apartment in the unutilized land on the outskirts of the town. Doing this will provide good houses to the people, create jobs to the youth and preserve a good environment hence improving the people’s health.
Children health policies call for all children be given an environment that helps them to develop both physically and mentally. Recreation facilities are essential to determine the growth and brain development of children. The children and the youth utilize the facilities in the town to interact with nature. The government should consider improving the green spaces and preserve them for the coming generations to use in developing their cognitive and also their physical health. (Dadvand et al 2015).
Benefits for People of Any Age, Race, Religion, Gender or Social Class
Health policies at all levels need people to live in a very clean environment for them to be healthy. The government should ensure that the green spaces are protected, clean and safe for human health. They should avoid converting them into damping pits which do not bring out a good picture of the town. The damping sites act as the breeding places for mosquitos and other diseases causing bacteria which facilitate the spread of both waterborne and airborne diseases. Conserving the green spaces in towns and keeping them clean is a big step towards achieving the goals of a healthy nation. (Braveman & Gottlieb, 2014).
The health people 2020 policy advocates for all people to have clean drinking. Green spaces within towns and cities are essential resources in water management. I recommend the government to coordinate with the urban planners to ensure that the sources of water supplied to the residents is kept safe from any destruction or contamination. This will be in line with the policies that demand provision of clean water to all people as a strategy to keep them healthy (Wolch et al Newell,2014).
The government and all another sector that are obligated to provide health care and ensure a clean safe environment should take their responsibility of protecting the green spaces seriously. The urban policymakers should ensure good preservation and conservation of the public green spaces within all towns and cities. Doing this will improve the health conditions of the nation at large especially of the people living in the urban centres. There is every need to increase and improve the quality of the available recreation facilities. Some of the common diseases affecting the large population such as obesity and mental disorders can be easily diagnosed if people take part in an active physical exercise of the body. The urban planner and the government should not underestimate the presence and the value of the green spaces to the health of not only man but the entire ecosystem. It is the responsibility of each and every person to protect the environment from destruction and pollution since it is the only way to overcome most of the diseases that are caused by environmental factors.
References
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