As some studies have highlighted, the environment within urban areas plays a key role in tackling the many global public health challenges that are often associated with urbanization. These include diseases such as depression and high blood pressure. A 2022 study showed that trees have the potential to improve urban air quality, as leaves and pine needles trap air pollution.
That cities need green spaces is therefore not a contentious issue. However, the open question is how much green space the city should have. Even here, science can provide guidelines, as the study identifies at least 9 square meters of green space per person, with an average value of 50 square meters per person in the city (by comparison, the average U.K. 12 square meters car park).
Green landscape
The big question is where do we want green space? A well-maintained but man-made park? Or something natural and dirty, like trees, meadows or places like a garden? As we discuss in our next book, Designing the Wise and Strong Cities of the Post-Pandemic World: The Metro Epidemic Revolution, this depends largely on the geographical location of the city in question. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends diversity of greenery as much as possible, yet it is undeniable that some cities are blessed with lush vegetation while others are not.
However, all is not lost in cities that do not have the greenest natural environment, as such areas can be built in urban areas that have previously lost trees and natural vegetation. This "green spatial planning" can be done even in places that would seem impossible. One key example is New Line City in New York City, a 1.45-mile (2.33km) long line built over an abandoned railway line. Since its inauguration nearly a decade ago, High Line has become a model for redesigning a green space that seeks to transform obsolete infrastructure into green, healthy public spaces.
Although it is known that vegetation has a positive effect on humanity in general, it is very difficult to prove the exact relationship of the cause of how green spaces affect our health. In this regard, digital technology can be an important tool for urban planners to determine where green spatial redesign is best used.
Smart technology
Another concept that sees rapid development is “smart urban forests,” which means using tree trunks, 3D images and other online technologies linked to objects to help manage the forest. This "natural internet" can monitor soil health, measure air pollution or ensure that urban forests are adequately hydrated.
Future technologies may also allow for the use of open data platforms and additional social media. Editors can collect different ideas from ordinary people using the app, for example, while using digital technology to map and enhance urban biodiversity and ensure that green spaces are located where they will achieve maximum efficiency.
An example of this is the Treepedia research program, which was launched in 2016 by the MIT Senseable City Lab in Massachusetts. Treepedia wishes to raise awareness of urban forests through the use of digital visual techniques based on Google Street View images.
Treepedia focuses on pedestrian street trees found in many cities around the world, in contrast to parks. The main reason is that pedestrians are more likely to see street trees without planning, while many people in parks prefer to be there. Using an open library, Treepedia states that the public can count the number of trees found in their village or district.
If urban planners are more aware of the power of digital technology, then green urban areas should have a brighter future. However, designing the beautiful green space we want for our cities may also require deep future collaboration between urban planners and engineers.
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