The Urban Land Institute offers fact sheets describing five innovative ways that parks can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate threats while advancing health, equity, and quality of life in urban areas.
Parks play a crucial role in advancing sustainability by providing green spaces that perform a variety of important functions, such as mitigating the urban heat island effect, promoting biodiversity, and acting as natural air filters to improve air quality. Parks also contribute to communities' ability to withstand and recover from challenges such as extreme weather events and climate change. They offer natural flood management by absorbing excess rainwater, reducing the risk of floods. This capability is enhanced by incorporating features like rain gardens and permeable pavements. In addition, parks provide spaces for community gathering and recreation, promoting physical and mental well-being.
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) recently published the following five fact sheets which explain how parks and green spaces can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate threats, while advancing health, equity, and quality of life in urban areas:
- Promoting Green Infrastructure
- Supporting Ecosystem Restoration
- Mitigating Urban Heat
- Leveraging Parks as Carbon Sinks
- Investing in Solar Energy
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