Brief Review of Urban Green Spaces Benefits

Open space in urban environments provides many advantages: formal and informal sport and recreation, preservation of natural environments, provision of green space and even urban storm water management. There are numerous benefits associated with access to urban green space. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is a major public health risk. Green spaces are one of the most important components of cities and they have had a developing role in the life of urban residence. The aim of this paper is to review the benefits of green spaces. Green spaces provide ideal surfaces for a variety of recreational and sports activity and high use activities including parks and playgrounds. This study presents the findings of a brief literature review relating to benefits of green spaces. The results of the study revealed the benefits of green space such as increased physical activity, stress reduction and recreational and sports activity, energy conservation, improved air quality, erosion and runoff control, reduction noise pollution, prevent disease and ease mental illness symptoms, reduce urban heat island effect.