As cities seek to provide people with places for recreation, outdoor activity, improved mental health, cleaner air, water management and beautiful scenery, city developers need to focus on the growth of the green city. Urban green spaces have the capacity to generate great economic, environmental and public health benefits in cities. As urban areas become denser development needs to focus on literally creating greener spaces by planting more trees and environments that encourage biodiversity and the survival of native flora and fauna. Green spaces are also useful for moderating the heat effect by reducing urban heat stress and creating cooling and shade zones, and help reduce energy costs and mitigate climate impacts. From a public health perspective, green cities show a clear link between tranquil environments and stress reduction, relaxation and improved well-being.
At Chiodo Corporation, we support the development of green cities to embrace:
1. Healthy people: increase access to nature, green spaces and canopy cover to reduce heat exposure and improve overall health and wellbeing
2. Abundance in nature: protect natural habitats and enhance biodiversity
3. Natural ecosystems: protect and increase vegetation to cool urban areas, retain water in the soils, increase water and air quality
An incredible example of this is the ‘Smart Forest City’ in Cancun which is intended to be built on a 557 hectare site and will contain 7.5 million plants. It will be an urban ecosystem where the city and botanical gardens act as one within a contemporary city based on Mayan heritage and its relationship with the sacred and natural worlds. This area will give back to nature as it will absorb 116, 000 tons of carbon dioxide helping reduce carbon emissions.
We strongly believe it is important to remember that we are not just planning for the current population, but for future generations to come. Green spaces both indoor and outdoor, commercial and residential will be core initiatives in each development we work on.
‘Green is the prime colour of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.’ – Pedro Calderon de la Barca