Urban Revitalization: The Importance of Green Spaces
Urban revitalization involves improving blighted urban areas. The benefits of renewing urban areas include economic growth, residential and commercial development opportunities, and cultural, community, and social amenities.
By renovating existing urban spaces, stakeholders can foster more vibrant communities, lure new investors, and influence a host of positive changes.
Adding green space opens up a wide array of benefits for urban revitalization projects.
Fortunately, today’s city planners, developers, and government agencies recognize the significant role green spaces can play in these urban revitalization projects.
The award-winning transformation of downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, included Modern Elite Cube Planters.
The Process of Urban Revitalization
Urban revitalization is undoubtedly an ongoing process. Collaboration and interventions from multiple parties are necessary to address the physical, economic, and social requirements of the renewal project. Funding from the private sector is often essential.
Community development corporations and institutions like universities, hospitals, churches, and housing authorities are integral to the effort. To attract consumer expenditures, many projects will construct a large-scale convention center, performing arts venue, or sports stadium.
From an initial needs assessment and securing funding sources to creating detailed plans for social, economic, cultural, infrastructural, and ecological enhancements
One important piece of this process is the strategic addition of green spaces.
The Importance of Green Spaces in Urban Renewal Projects
While green spaces are often viewed as luxuries, funded only after resources have been allocated to buildings and hardscapes, researcher Frances Kuo found that green spaces in urban renewal projects are a minor investment with a huge payoff. Kuo says such spaces “help people take care of themselves, so cities don’t have to spend as much on social, medical and safety services trying to fix their problems.” (1)
Green spaces contribute to urban revitalization by promoting health and well-being, supporting economic development, contributing to environmental sustainability, and creating aesthetically pleasing spots for community building.
Healthy, happy city dwellers are essential for urban revitalization to succeed. As such, it’s incredibly important to take action to improve the health of the people who will live and work in these urban spaces and why adding green space is such a critical piece of the puzzle.
Consider these facts:
Research shows that urban green spaces improve life expectancy and health. (2)
Green spaces are linked to increased perceptions of neighborhood satisfaction. Residents with well-maintained green spaces reported feeling safer in their development. (3)
Other studies prove people living near more green space show higher indicators of well-being than those who live without any surrounding greenery.
Research from urban areas in Scotland and the U.K. proves that individuals living in urban areas with more green space have lower levels of both mental distress and the stress hormone cortisol.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, strategically locating green spaces in urban areas helps reduce sweltering temperatures by absorbing and reflecting heat.
One study reports that every dollar invested in urban green space generates, on average, $6 in economic value through increased property values, tourism, and job creation. (4)
The mere presence of a green space can improve social equity by ensuring that all residents, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to nature and all the associated benefits.
Think your urban revitalization project’s budget can’t afford to add green spaces? Think again…
For urban revitalization projects that preclude the addition of large green spaces, creating small innovative green infrastructure additions — think green roof or rooftop garden — can make a difference by minimizing energy costs and stormwater runoff. Even converting a vacant lot can transform neglected sections of a city into important assets for the community.
Rooftop Gardens: The New Trend
Rooftop gardens are trending and with good reason. They’re beautiful, cost-efficient, and good for the environment.
In urban revitalization projects, developers must strategically utilize every bit of space. One of the most innovative ways to accomplish this objective is to leverage parts of buildings in the community that would otherwise be sitting idle.
Whether the project adds a rooftop garden to a commercial or residential building, users of that space will now have access to a relaxing retreat that lifts them above the urban landscape and provides a skyview.
Connect Modular Planters at Garden City Bar Shaker Heights, Ohio
Revitalization of Street Space
Adding greenery along streets in urban revitalization projects creates walkable neighborhoods that provide a refreshing contrast to the harsh shapes and textures of urban landscapes. But the benefits don’t end there.
Beyond the many ecological, health, and social benefits, revitalized street space that includes beautiful greenery can:
Boost local economic outcomes for urban areas by creating enticing opportunities for local shopping and dining.
Help draw customers to shopping districts.
Reduce shopper stress while they are there.
Enhance overall curb appeal.
Boost apartment and commercial building occupancy rates.
Increase revenue from tourism.
Create local jobs (from various landscape design, installation, and maintenance activities).
Increase residential and commercial property values.
Reduce the costs of street repairs from the reduced temperatures resulting from shaded roadways and sidewalks.
Keep this fact in mind when working to spur interest among commercial investors:
A study published in the Journal of Forestry found that the average shopper spends 9-12% more — on both goods and services — when surrounded by high-quality greenery.
Urban Renewal Methods with Planters
Most urban revitalization projects don’t have the budget to install a sprawling park or recreation area. The same impact and aforementioned benefits can, however, be created using large commercial planters.
Planters are ideal for delivering green solutions to tightly confined urban areas. They can be used in a variety of ways, including along sidewalks and busy streets, in parking areas, and on rooftops.
In addition, planters can control traffic and manage pedestrian movement, both important aspects of urban planning. By strategically placing commercial planters along sidewalks, intersections, and roadways, planners can optimize traffic patterns and create designated pedestrian zones by providing a buffer zone between pedestrians and moving vehicles.
Large planters create a physical barrier that encourages drivers to pay closer attention and remain in designated lanes.
Some architectural planters can decorate by including benches to provide pedestrians with seating areas or resting spots. Such an addition can encourage visitors to explore the city on foot.
Learn More
PureModern creates custom planters to your exact specifications, budget, and timeline.
We’d love to help you create a thriving community full of green spaces and progressive, functional, and sustainable design solutions.
Get in touch with us today. We’re here to help!
Resources:
(1) University of Delaware Agricultural and Natural Resources
(2) Frontiers in Environmental Science
