Why Green Spaces Are No Longer A Luxury But A Necessity In Urban Housing?

A hidden and hazardous dilemma confronts the modern metropolis, a towering monument to human inventiveness constructed of steel and concrete. The most fundamental component of wellness, nature, has been obscured by humans during the construction of modern settings. For a long time, green areas were considered a luxury reserved for those with considerable wealth.  However, the reality of rising temperatures in cities has made it clear that greenery is becoming increasingly necessary for survival rather than simply a choice.

The Cost of Well-Being: The Concrete Trap
The ongoing expansion of urban areas has resulted in a substantial expense, as citizens are currently entangled in a cycle of environmental degradation and mental decline. The "Urban Heat Island Effect," a phenomenon in which cities are transformed into overheated environments as a result of the excessive absorption and release of heat by concrete and asphalt, is exacerbated by the scarcity of verdant spaces. This is not merely a minor inconvenience. It is a significant hazard to one's health and well-being.

While an individual may suffer the effects of physical pain, psychological pain has a greater impact on a person’s mental well-being. Urban environments are associated with increased stress and anxiety levels and increased risk of depression. Such an environment causes both the rate of living and visual distractions created by the urban environment to create a more chaotic environment that results in higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression. Urban community members' overall health is declining as they become more isolated and withdrawn from the community over time, and thus needs to be a priority in creating healthy and resilient urban communities. Community trees aid urban populations in improving air quality and improving their health by improving the air that they breathe and therefore also improving their health. When looking at urban carbon sequestration, the individual tree has a positive impact on capturing carbon. In addition, the use of green infrastructure is an effective way to manage runoff. 

A Place of Refuge for the Soul, Body, and Community
Green spaces provide benefits not only for the environment but for society as well. Children have a safe place to play, while people of all ages can relax within green urban areas. Green spaces have become essential social resources of communities, allowing for social connections among members of the community. Best of all, green space provides a way to help lower the stress levels of people of all ages through improved physical and mental health. It also helps create a sense of community. This feeling creates a better place for the people who live there, and it allows the community to survive independently of external support, while reducing weekends and empty spaces, and thus, reducing isolation and loneliness.

Green is Gold
The idea that verdant places put an undue financial burden on taxpayers is not supported by empirical evidence.  Urban gardens and verdant spaces are, in reality, sound investments with a high return.  There is evidence to support the claim that city parks have the ability to increase property value, attract businesses and visitors, and create more tax revenue.  All of these variables add to a city's overall appeal as a living and working environment.  They also help to reduce overall healthcare costs by enhancing public health and reducing health disorders associated with stress.

It is evident that urban planning must evolve as we look towards the future. It is imperative to adopt a new perspective on development, transitioning from its status as the sole priority to the recognition that nature is an essential and irreplaceable element of urban existence. To ensure that our future urban cities are healthy for residents and contain the resources that people need to thrive as residents, Urban City Planning must be done in such a way that supports the belief that green space is necessary within the Urban Environment, not just something that adds beauty or aesthetic value.

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