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Higher-density cities need greening to stay healthy and liveable

Melanie Davern and colleagues write in The Conversation (5.5.17) about the major challenge of greening cities that are becoming more densely populated and developed. The authors assert that the health of city-dwellers benefits from both well-designed green spaces and urban density, so planners must manage the tensions between them.

‘Access to high-quality public open space is a key ingredient of healthy, liveable cities. This has long been recognised in government planning policy, based on a large body of academic research showing that accessible green spaces lead to better health outcomes.

‘However, cities are home to more than just people. We also need to accommodate the critters and plants who live in them. This includes the species who called our cities home before we did.

‘Greening cities that are becoming denser is a major challenge. Green spaces and density are both good for health outcomes when designed well. However, higher-density development can place added pressure on green space if not well planned and managed.’

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