Can Prioritizing Outdoor Spaces Establish a More Sustainable Society?
By Evelyn Long, editor-in-chief of Renovated
Increasing urbanization has led to greater population density in metropolitan areas. While the economic opportunities are abundant, cities are finding room for outdoor spaces. There are also vast recreational spaces in national parks, forests and beaches. How do these natural venues impact the sustainability of society?
Green areas let people connect with the Earth and have better lives. However, they may also be counterproductive to environmental efforts. Here’s a guide to outdoor spaces’ role in a sustainable society.
Can Outdoor Spaces Establish Sustainability?
Experts say 5.17 billion people will live in urban areas by 2030, increasing to 6.67 billion by 2050. The migration to cities has sparked interest in outdoor spaces, whether inside the city or in a rural location. These green areas significantly affect sustainability because they have environmental and social benefits.
For example, officials should consider the heat island effect. Cities can be 1-7 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than other areas because buildings and roads absorb and release heat. How can local governments combat these high temperatures? Trees and vegetation are excellent because they provide shade and mitigate the adverse effects of solar radiation.
Another reason to prioritize outdoor spaces is nature’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). This greenhouse gas is critical to the planet because plants need it for photosynthesis. Green spaces let plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and filter the gas from urban areas.
The relationship with humans is symbiotic because plants release oxygen and improve human health. For example, trees reduce stress and anxiety and improve moods because of their relaxing characteristics. Where can people reap the benefits of nature? Finding green spaces within urban areas provides easy access to much of the human population.
When city leaders embrace sustainability, the passion trickles down to businesses and residents. Greener urban areas have a leg up because they are more resilient to environmental crises and energy shortages. Therefore, they’re more attractive to investors for long-term financial gains. Sustainability also leads to lower transportation and energy costs, lessening the burden on residents and businesses.
What Outdoor Spaces Positively Contribute?
Cultivating recreational spaces within cities is critical for environmental and social aspects. Sustainability starts with how much an urban area cares for the environment. What ideas can positively contribute to environmentally sound policies? Here are four ideas for green spaces.
1. Urban Parks
Cities can give residents and tourists easy access to green spaces with urban parks. These recreational areas foster sustainability by combating pollution and providing recreational opportunities. They also present cooler spaces within metropolitan areas to tackle heat issues.
A 2021 study quantified the effects of urban parks in Shenzhen, China. The researchers found a significant positive correlation between the vegetation index and the park’s cooling intensity. The study also concluded a park’s perimeter, shape and area were critical in determining its efficacy.
Where can people find urban parks? Some cities have these green spaces across the metro area, making them easy to find. For instance, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has 180 parks and 55 miles of cycling and walking paths. The 6,800-acre system benefits the Twin Cities through air quality and recreational opportunities. Natural beauty gives people a healthy break from the city without traveling too far.
2. Gardens
Gardens can be another solid sustainability strategy for communities. These outdoor spaces provide fresh air through abundant plants and fresh food. The easy-to-access produce is a significant win for residents because they don’t have to travel far for food. A shortened supply chain increases sustainability because produce stays within the community and doesn’t produce emissions through long-distance travel.
How can cities start community gardens? Local leaders should use the climate to determine what produce they can grow. A moderate climate means gardens can grow snow peas, strawberries, blueberries and other tasty foods. Gardeners can further increase sustainability by composting waste from around the city.
Examples of metro areas with numerous community gardens include Atlanta, New York City, Miami, Houston and Tampa. A 2024 Lawnstarter report shows New York City has 762 community gardens and 133 gardening stores to help the city’s green efforts.
3. Beaches
Coastal cities take pride in their beaches as they provide natural recreational opportunities for the community. However, the future of sandy shores is bleak due to climate change. For instance, experts say barrier islands on the Atlantic Coast recede by 25 feet annually. The Great Lakes have seen 50 feet of recession, alarming climate scientists. How can leaders help beaches be beacons of sustainability?
Officials should prioritize beaches by protecting the coastlines with natural strategies. Dunes are a straightforward protection measure because they break offshore waves, making them less potent to the mainland. Beach nourishment is another viable option because it restores coastlines that have suffered from erosion. While a short-term solution, beach nourishment imports sand from offshore locations and prevents erosion.
Another way to make beaches a more sustainable outdoor space is through groins. These structures combat erosion on updrift beaches by trapping sediment. The objective of groins is to reduce coastal erosion and limit movement. Climate experts say groins are effective on sand and shingle beaches by controlling flow and enabling stability.
4. Pocket Parks
Outdoor spaces in cities are great, and they don’t have to be gigantic venues. Pocket parks are smaller green areas in dense neighborhoods, business districts or abandoned lots. These spaces comprise about a quarter of an acre, but their impact on a city’s sustainability can be significant.
Pocket parks should prioritize planting trees because of their positive effects. One acre of tree cover removes 80 pounds of air pollution, so a quarter-acre pocket park could mitigate up to 20 pounds. A singular tree can positively impact the surrounding environment by absorbing 13 pounds of CO2 annually, thus offsetting some of the urban area’s industrial emissions.
Despite their small size, pocket parks can be a critical beacon of sustainability by supporting wildlife. These ecosystems provide habitats for smaller animals because of the abundant vegetation for food and shelter. A 2023 study found these spaces are cost-effective solutions for high-density urban areas. The researchers said pocket parks support biodiversity conservation while mitigating heat island effects.
How Can Outdoor Spaces Be Counterproductive?
While green spaces have positive benefits, they can be counterproductive if officials don’t implement them correctly. Here are four ways outdoor areas can negatively impact sustainability.
1. Using Harmful Chemicals
Plants and trees in outdoor spaces need regular maintenance to maintain their health. Pruning, weeding and watering are only some of the tasks park officials must perform. Fertilization is a crucial responsibility because it provides nutrients to the plants. Embracing green spaces means inviting local wildlife to use the vegetation for their diets.
Some park officials may consider pesticides and insecticides to protect the green spaces, but this strategy could backfire. While they deter pests, these chemicals are ultimately harmful to the environment. For instance, pesticides are toxic to bees and can disrupt the local ecosystem if they harm the population. Plants depend on bees for pollination, so deciding to use chemicals would be counterproductive.
Instead, environmental leaders should focus on safer alternatives for their outdoor spaces. If pests are a concern, park officials could introduce natural predators like birds and bats to mitigate the issue. Non-toxic traps are another option for keeping parks clean without harming the area.
2. Requiring Car Use
Maximizing sustainability in outdoor areas means ensuring green spaces don’t depend on cars. Passenger vehicles emit 45% more CO2 than public transportation, thus endangering people and green spaces. Light rail, heavy rail, walking trails and buses offer more sustainable alternatives for transportation.
Another counterproductive move would be to minimize pedestrian infrastructure near green areas in favor of parking lots. These large swaths of asphalt don’t absorb rainfall like plants do, thus increasing toxic stormwater runoff after storms.
Instead, cities should make room for people by prioritizing pedestrian walkways and bike paths. Minimizing or eliminating motorized vehicles near these green spaces would aid their long-term health and be more conducive to humans. Additionally, the wildlife would benefit from less noise and air pollution.
3. Incorporating Harmful Materials
Maximizing pedestrian infrastructure necessitates solid walkways for safety and ease of use. Cities could make the mistake of using unsustainable materials when designing their outdoor spaces. People need walkable areas, but some approaches don’t contribute to sustainability.
Concrete is a widely used material in construction because of its durability. While it lasts long, its creation is an energy-intensive process. Experts say the concrete industry accounts for 8% of global emissions — nearly as much as the entire agricultural sector. Asphalt is another unsustainable choice because it requires replacement and absorbs heat, making the ground less walkable for pedestrians.
What are more sustainable choices for walkways inside urban green spaces? Choosing bricks would be excellent for the environment because they don’t need replacement and are energy efficient. Park management can recycle or reuse the bricks if they must repurpose them, emphasizing the material’s sustainability.
4. Inefficient Water Systems
Urban outdoor spaces need well-functioning irrigation systems to provide water for all the plants and trees. With them, a city could have efficient systems and controlled water use. What can lead to a suspect water blueprint? Green spaces could have outdated infrastructure or poor soil. Compact ground doesn’t absorb water well, making the park more susceptible to stormwater runoff.
Another issue for irrigation systems could be integrating non-native plants into the parks. These species need more water and steal nutrients from native plants, necessitating more water for the parks. Keeping native species in the parks is necessary to conserve resources, especially in drought-prone areas. Reducing water consumption would alleviate high water usage and give the community a larger share.
Cities can improve the water systems for their urban green spaces by taking advantage of rainwater harvesting. This approach utilizes swales, rain barrels and other innovative tactics to collect and conserve rainwater for future use. Incorporating permeable walkways could be a solid sustainability strategy because it lets the soil absorb the water and minimize runoff.
How Do Outdoor Spaces Affect the Public?
Prioritizing outdoor spaces can positively affect the community through being in nature and heightening environmental awareness. When people spend time amongst trees and plants, they feel more connected to Earth and foster a positive connection. Humans also garner mental health benefits from nature, including reduced mental fatigue and tension.
Seeing trees and being around nature deepens one’s appreciation for the environment despite living in urban areas. Connecting with nature inside cities is critical because people may otherwise feel stuck in concrete jungles. Pedestrians may walk past or through urban parks during their workday, giving them a daily dose of fresh air and a refreshed mindset.
Shifting to greener urban areas could positively impact a society already leaning toward sustainability. Research shows 78% of people believe sustainability is important and 63% have modified their lifestyles to include greener buying habits. Constant exposure to nature means people get daily reminders of a world that includes more than just humans.
Using Outdoor Spaces for the Greater Good
When planners implement them effectively, green spaces can be a valuable asset in urban areas. These outdoor areas connect residents and tourists to nature, allowing local wildlife to have healthy habitats. While recreational spaces have excellent qualities, city leaders should ensure they are conducive to sustainability by integrating efficient systems. Bringing people closer to nature develops a deeper appreciation for the outdoors and positively affects the rest of society.
About the Author
Evelyn Long is a writer and the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her work has been published by NCCER, Build Magazine and other online publications.