As of 2018, over half of the world’s 7.8 billion people live in an area defined as urban. This means there is a good chance that you’re reading this in an urban setting, surrounded by concrete, traffic, and a dense population of people. While urban areas tend to have higher standards of living, they also come with some downsides such as smog, noise pollution, and even a rise in anxiety. With recent trends showing that more and more of the population are moving into urban areas, how do we confront the health concerns that follow? Thankfully, medical professionals are discovering evidence that the secret to healthy urban living is in our city’s green spaces.
Green Space from Place to Place
Green spaces, also known as urban greenery or simply Greenspace, are areas within urban environments which are comprised of natural elements and vegetation. This encompasses everything from public parks and gardens to residential lawns and landscapes. Greenspaces can serve aesthetic or functional purposes and can even incorporate both. New York City’s famous Central Park is a perfect example of urban greenspace. And whether you’re a lover of the great outdoors or an indoors loving homebody, scientists agree that all humans have a natural connection with greenery and that connection is critical to our health.
What’s Good about the Green?
Before exploring the benefits of green spaces, let’s consider the primary health issues caused by urbanization. Urbanization is typically defined by high population density, which is when more people are living in less space. These crowded spaces have higher rates of air pollution, communicable diseases, and even see an increase in mental illness. Doctors were quick to recommend exposure to nature, and the effects are so substantial that cities across the world have added thousands of acres of green spaces.
Physical Benefits
Green spaces such as sports fields and public parks encourage physical fitness by providing space and resources for people to exercise. And even if you’re exercising inside, studies have even shown that being able to see green space from your window is equally associated with lower blood pressure and faster healing. Similar studies found exposure to green spaces coincided with lower obesity rates, fewer cardiovascular diseases, and an overall lower mortality rate.
Mental Health Benefits
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While green space can lower blood pressure and reduce everyday stress, it even has long term effects on your mental wellbeing. A Danish study in 2019 found that children raised around green spaces, such as landscapes or parks, were far less likely to develop psychiatric disorders.
On the other hand, those raised with little or no access to urban greenery were almost 55% more likely to develop mental illnesses. Reducing stress at the moment and preventing illness in the long term are just two major mental health benefits researchers have been able to prove.
Environmental Benefits
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With more people comes more pollution, especially when it comes to industrialized spaces. Two of the world's most populous countries, India and China, also suffer from the most air pollution. This pollution has a negative effect not just on city dwellers and urban wildlife alike.
Lucky for humans, we have access to millions of air purifying machines, otherwise known as plants. Sometimes referred to as an ecosystem's “lungs”, plants take in carbon dioxide while emitting oxygen, filtering out other dangerous pollutants along the way. Professionally constructed and maintained urban greenery can act as a much-needed air filter for big cities and create better air quality for urban inhabitants.
While the proven health and environmental benefits are remarkable, not all green space is good green space. There are countless factors to consider when constructing or converting to a green space. Every urban environment is different and comes with its own unique constraints. Space, plant species, pest management, and climate must all be considered. If you hire a landscape construction or maintenance company, make sure they are licensed, certified, and experienced enough for your vision. Down To Earth Landscape & Irrigation has kept Florida green for over thirty years and boasts an expansive staff of industry experts and professionals. When you’re looking to make a difference, trust the Down To Earth difference.