Many of the world’s major cities have sprawling green spaces. Gardens, greenbelts and tree-lined streets are common neighborhood features. These areas can provide many benefits, improving physical and mental well-being. However, urban planning has historically been tied to discriminatory housing practices and other biases, which often prevent the development of green spaces in many neighborhoods.
Ahead, we discuss why more green spaces should be built within the U.S.’s urban cores. We explain why all Americans benefit from having access to high-quality outdoor spaces and touch on organizations Robert F. Smith supports for their work to ensure outdoor access for all.
Benefits of Green Spaces in Urban Landscapes
Green spaces within major urban areas provide several important benefits. They are social and recreational places where residents can both exercise and connect. They also can enhance biodiversity and improve air quality. For example, according to an L.A. Works article, urban greenery in Los Angeles eliminates over 4,000 tons of air pollution each year.
Urban food forests, or food gardens, can also play a role in combating issues like food insecurity and food deserts. Food deserts occur when communities lack access to healthy and affordable foods and are more common with less access to opportunities and resources, including in Black communities. But, urban food forests and the growth of sustainable fresh foods can address food deserts.
Urban green spaces can also reduce negative environmental realities of city life, such as urban heat islands.
What Is An Urban Heat Island?
Urban heat islands are places within cities that are more susceptible to hotter temperatures, often due to a lack of greenery. The densely populated areas of New York City that lack sufficient public parks and green spaces are hotter than the greener suburban or rural areas that surround it.
Black Americans are over 50% more likely to live in areas affected by phenomena like urban heat islands and are more likely to suffer from health issues related to long-term heat exposure.
Bringing Green Spaces to Urban Locations
Several organizations nationwide are working to build and improve access to urban green spaces, including:
- Trust for Public Land, which creates parks, protects land and connects people to the benefits and joys of the outdoors
- GreenSpacesLA, which partners with urban communities in South Los Angeles to construct, revitalize and preserve community gardens
- Baltimore Green Space, which promotes land preservation, research and community advocacy
Park(ing) Day
Park(ing) Day is an event held around the world where members of the public can repurpose parking spots into temporary public parks and social spaces. This annual event, started by Rebar in 2005, promotes both creative expression and the importance of green spaces in cities. It also helps model how urban landscapes can be redeveloped to benefit the people who live there. Park(ing) Day takes place worldwide in cities like Washington, D.C., New York, London and Sydney.
Smith’s Support of Green Spaces
Smith is a staunch advocate of ensuring access to the outdoors and green spaces, particularly for communities that traditionally lack access to these spaces. He has partnered with several organizations that work to make increasing access to the outdoors and green spaces possible, including:
Follow Smith on LinkedIn to learn more about his work with philanthropic organizations.
