The Importance of Green Spaces in Urban Centres and the Debate on Allowing Developers to Buy Parks and Build Apartments

Contemporary health issues 1
CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES
By (Student name)
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A submission to the New South Wales parliament: inquiry into opening up public green spaces
for development and whether they should allow developers to buy parks and build apartments.
As an engaged citizen who is well versed and knowledgeable on matters pertaining health, I
decided to provide my submission. The sole reason and idea are to help the government make the
right and an informed decision on whether they should open the public green spaces and if they'
should allow developers to buy parks and build apartment. I have worked in different
departments of health and did a lot of research, on the environment and the effect on the health
of an individual. I am a senior clinician with an experience of over ten years.All the information
that is provided in this submission is true and scientifically proved through research done in
different parts of the world (Ferrer, 2018).
2 The health importance of green spaces in urban centres
An open space is an open land that is not yet developed. There are no buildings or structures in
the area. It is normally accessed by the public. A green space is the piece of land covered by
grass, shrubs, trees or other vegetation either partially or completely. Examples of the green
spaces include public seating areas, playgrounds, schoolyards vacant lots etc. it is a critical issue
for urban centres like the towns and cities to lack safe open green spaces for the purposes of
recreation.
Social determinants of health are the social factors that influence how to fit an individual is
physical, mentally and emotionally. They determine the health outcomes and are much linked to
the public policies of health and easily understood by the people. They address the distribution
and impact of different resources in the society.

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In the last few years, people have done a commendable job in research with an aim of exploiting
real value of green spaces in urban centres in terms of health and general wellbeing. They also
assist a lot in countering the heat in urban areas by compensating for the greenhouse emissions.
It \is essential to note that different types of green spaces have a lot of influence in determining
the kind of social interactions among people of different ages, religions etc. social interactions
that are held regularly form the foundation of good ties within a community. It creates a social
capital while at the same time having a sense of belonging and identity (Frumkin, 2016).
The people who frequently use the green spaces do not use it the same way. According to some
studies, there is a correct way of using the facility. The green spaces should be used to appreciate
nature and the entire creation. There are users who look at the green spaces as the sports ground,
to organize different entertainment events. (Koudounas, 2015).What determines how public
green spaces are used is complicated. The availability of the facility is the most crucial
requirement. The size also determines a lot depending on the group that wishes to use it and for
what purpose. Large green spaces are used for physical exercise while those of small sizes are
used for resting and socializing. Accessibility has also been listed among the major determinant
of how the green spaces are used. The factor considered here is the distance between where the
facility is located and the person's home. People who live near the green spaces are likely to
make use of it and visit it frequently compared to those who live far away (Gascon et al 2016).
Some epidemics like mental illness and obesity are affecting a significant population in both
developing and developed countries around the globe. It is worrying that the rise of the rate in
which people are getting obese is alarming with some statistics revealing that about twenty-five
percent of the adult population in England and approximately a third in the USA are affected.
Besides this, psychiatric illnesses such as stress and depression are prevalent in affecting an

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average of one person among every twenty. The two health issues are as a result of the lifestyle
in a world that is highly urbanized (Head & Alford, 2015). World health organization in Europe
classified stress and depression among the social determinants of health. According to their
findings, people who live without stress are likely to be healthier than those who have a lot of
stress in their lives. Green spaces are really important in urban areas since they provide people
with a good environment for social interactions which are relevant in relaxing the brain. (Adler et
al 2016). They allow people to experience some psychological restoration. In the past, great
attention was directed to the characteristics or the types of green spaces in urban centres which
influenced their usage. Such characteristics are the availability of facilities, quality, accessibility,
security and attractiveness. Though the relationships are multifactorial and really complex, it is
assumed casual (Head & Alford, 2015). Some studies were carried out which revealed that
meditative walking around the forest and in an indoor environment had some remarkable
positive impacts psychologically compared to the running. Other studies found out that walking
around the green spaces reveal a reduced frustration and activates the entire functioning of the
brain. Walking in cool green places was found among the best and most effective ways of
increasing happiness. Psychologists maintain that a happy individual has a broader mind and
determines the thinking pattern of a person and how they react to the general events of life (Van
et al 2015).
Green spaces can be utilized by urban planners to fulfil a range of responsibilities such as
recreation and social spaces. Recreational activities in the urban green spaces help reduce the
health complications associated with lack of physical activity such as obesity. Physical activity is
one of the social determinants of health. The world health organization in Europe outlined some
social determinants of health like unemployment, health services, stress and social exclusion. A