Inquiry Submission: Health Implications of Developing Green Spaces

This document presents a student's submission to the New South Wales parliament concerning an inquiry into opening up public green spaces for development, specifically addressing whether developers should be allowed to buy parks and build apartments. The submission emphasizes the importance of green spaces for public health, citing research on their role in mitigating stress, promoting physical activity, and reducing environmental pollution. It discusses the social determinants of health and how access to green spaces impacts mental and physical well-being. The document also evaluates the potential benefits and drawbacks of allowing developers to build apartments in parks, considering factors such as housing needs, potential environmental impacts, and the importance of maintaining green spaces for recreation and community interaction. It concludes by offering recommendations on how the government can balance development with the need to maintain healthy urban environments.

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CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES
By (Student name)
The name of the course
Professor’s Name
The name of school
The city and the country
Date

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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

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commission on social determinants under WHO identified the conditions of daily living such as
decent working environment, fair employment, health physical environment and individual
physical fitness as the leading social determinants of health. Studies have proved the urban
environment to a large extent affect the physical activity (Mowen. & Rung 2016). The parks and
green spaces provide the best places for people of any age, race, religion, gender or social class
to get physically active. Some of the vigorous activities by children who are born and live in
urban areas take place in the park and other green spaces. These places are quite important in
towns and cities where accessing the open countryside for physical exercise is a little bit limited.
Availability of this facilities has a significant influence on how frequent people exercise their
bodies. They facilitate active lifestyle hence reducing the cases of overweight and obesity.it is
particularly important to keep in mind that the parks and green spaces can be used for the
purposes of therapy and rehabilitative exercise for people with coronary artery diseases, and type
two diabetes mellitus (Tilman, &Clark, 2014).
In the contemporary lifestyles that we have where everybody is so busy, there is every need of
having some time out to relax. Studies held on those who have mental illnesses and those who
are depressed show that there is some improvement in the cognitive function of individuals who
have some time in green places.
Green spaces are very important in reducing the buildup of heat. They counter the effects of
urban heat consequently decreasing the cost of energy used in cooling. Urban green spaces
reduce the noise, air and water population. They also attenuate stormwater by downplaying the
flood water. If landscaped properly they should reduce the nitrates that are absorbed into the
water from the soil. They keep phosphorus pollutants from the ways used water hence reducing

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water pollution. This reduces the complications that are likely initiated by the presence of some
gases and metals in water (Sallis et al 2016).
3 Should the government of New South Wales allow developers to buy parks and build
apartments?
A report published in 2008 by a commission developed by the world health organization
identified some two broad social determinants of health that needed to be addressed. One of them
is the conditions of daily living such as a healthy physical environment, decent work, fair
employment, and access to health care. The USA centre for disease control classifies some
resources like housing health care, transportation and education among the social determinant of
health. Most of the towns are largely populated and polluted with the high number of people who
living congested houses that are built without considering the health of the people. If developers
are allowed to build the apartment, they help in decongesting the over populated areas in the
town. Several cities and towns around the world have the large demand for houses. The
apartments built by the developers will help in providing millions of homes to the current
population and even the generations to come. The government should regulate the kind of
apartment that should be built as well as the number of people or at least number of families that
should be allowed to live in them. Regulating the number of people living in specific green
spaces that the government gives to the developers should be a priority. It will help the
government officials given the responsibility of ensuring a clean environment to the residents
does their job with some ease.
While it is out of goodwill that the government is willing to allow the developers to buy parks
and build apartment .they should bear in mind some of the health repercussions it may bring. It
would be wise if the government developed a policy that will give the guidelines on how the

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developers should also the land. Allowing the developers to buy the parks and build the house
will reduce the congestion of people who live in the few available houses.it reduces the chances
of contracting diseases some of the airborne and water-borne diseases in the population. The
built apartments will be a big boost to the health conditions of the people because of the
improved standards. If the green spaces are well planned and utilized, more services like health
and education will reach to the people in their doorstep (Shanahan et al 2015).
Developers will bring more benefits to the residents other the disadvantages. They will create
more jobs and opportunities for the young generation. The apartments will open a good land and
space for investments which will create a lot of employment in those specific areas. Cases of
depression and stress that are as a result of un-employment will consequently reduce. The people
who will get the employment through these developers will in a good position to access good
health facilities hence improving the health standards of the entire town or city.
Some developers have a tendency of taking the land from the government and eventually they
change the purpose which the land was meant for. Before giving the land to the developers, the
government should have a strategy to avoid developers who may start some industries which
emit very poisonous gasses into the atmosphere.
In many parts of the world where the investors have been allowed to develop the green spaces in
towns and cities, they have ended up violating most of the agreement especially those involving
keeping the environment clean to avoid some health problems to the residents of the areas
(Swanson et al 1997).
What the government can do to maintain health urban areas

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Though there is every need to have a good infrastructure, it is important that the government
considers both the short-term and long-term effects on the health of human species if the green
areas are opened for development.
The government should be careful not to give away all the green spaces in the urban for
development. The green vegetation in the green spaces is really useful in reducing the
greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. The policies on the environment also
require the government to do everything possible to protect and preserve the environment. This
will help in reducing the rate of some diseases like some types of cancer that are as a result of
environmental pollution especially in the cities (Wells et al 2016).
Obesity and other diseases that are associated with the physical fitness of the body can be dealt
with through physical exercise. The government should consider the health policies requiring
them to provide people with enough recreation facilities. Instead of giving the few green spaces
available for development, the government should try to increase them to accommodate a
significant percentage of people in the town. The creation facilities around the town should be
increased to match the population around the town and cater for all ages, races and religions.
Through doing so all people will be active to exercise their bodies.
Health people 2020 policies demands good housing for all. It is really important for the
government to provide good housing to all its citizens. In order to do this effectively, I
recommend that the developers be allowed to build the apartment in the unutilized land on the
outskirts of the town. Doing this will provide good houses to the people, create jobs to the youth
and preserve a good environment hence improving the people's health.

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Children health policies call for all children be given an environment that helps them to develop
both physically and mentally. Recreation facilities are essential to determine the growth and
brain development of children. The children and the youth utilize the facilities in the town to
interact with nature. The government should consider improving the green spaces and preserve
them for the coming generations to use in developing their cognitive and also their physical
health. (Dadvand et al 2015).
Health policies at all levels need people to live in a very clean environment for them to be
healthy. The government should ensure that the green spaces are protected, clean and safe for
human health. They should avoid converting them into damping pits which do not bring out a
good picture of the town. The damping sites act as the breeding places for mosquitos and other
diseases causing bacteria which facilitate the spread of both waterborne and airborne diseases.
Conserving the green spaces in towns and keeping them clean is a big step towards achieving the
goals of a healthy nation. (Braveman & Gottlieb, 2014).
5. The health people 2020 policy advocates for all people to have clean drinking. Green spaces
within towns and cities are essential resources in water management. I recommend the
government to coordinate with the urban planners to ensure that the sources of water supplied to
the residents is kept safe from any destruction or contamination. This will be in line with the
policies that demand provision of clean water to all people as a strategy to keep them healthy
(Wolch et al Newell,2014).
The government and all another sector that are obligated to provide health care and ensure a
clean safe environment should take their responsibility of protecting the green spaces seriously.
The urban policymakers should ensure good preservation and conservation of the public green
spaces within all towns and cities. Doing this will improve the health conditions of the nation at

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large especially of the people living in the urban centres. There is every need to increase and
improve the quality of the available recreation facilities. Some of the common diseases affecting
the large population such as obesity and mental disorders can be easily diagnosed if people take
part in an active physical exercise of the body. The urban planner and the government should not
underestimate the presence and the value of the green spaces to the health of not only man but
the entire ecosystem. It is the responsibility of each and every person to protect the environment
from destruction and pollution since it is the only way to overcome most of the diseases that are
caused by environmental factors.

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