Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are vital components of city infrastructure, significantly enhancing the quality of life and promoting public health. Research consistently underscores the multifaceted benefits of green spaces, including improved mental and physical health outcomes. Grahn and Stigsdotter emphasize that exposure to natural environments is associated with reduced stress levels, increased feelings of well-being, and enhanced mental health [1]. The presence of UGS fosters social interactions, contributing to a sense of community. Middleton’s work illustrates that pedestrian interactions within green spaces can strengthen social ties and improve psychological well-being [2]. Furthermore, urban design that encourages walking and physical activity, as discussed by Giles-Corti et al. and Marselle et al., links pedestrian-friendly environments to higher levels of exercise and overall health [3][4]. These findings collectively highlight the critical role that UGS plays in promoting individual health and community resilience, making their inclusion a priority in urban planning policies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed attention to the necessity of sustainable urban environments that feature sufficient green spaces. As urban residents sought refuge from the stresses of lockdown and social distancing, the value of accessible green areas became increasingly evident. Miyagawa et al. argue that UGS not only provides opportunities for recreation and relaxation but also serves as a critical resource for mental well-being during crises, underscoring the need for resilience in urban planning [5]. The pandemic prompted cities worldwide to rethink their infrastructure, with organizations such as the WHO European Healthy Cities Network advocating for accessible green spaces as a fundamental element of urban design. Successful initiatives in cities globally demonstrate the transformative power of UGS. For example, the conversion of underutilized lands into parks and green spaces in the United States and China has shown significant public health benefits, as highlighted by Wolch et al. [6]. Global initiatives like the “Urban Greening Initiative” by the World Bank and the “City in a Garden” program in Singapore further emphasize the role of UGS in urban health, enhancing biodiversity and community resilience [7][8]. These initiatives not only improve the aesthetics of urban areas but also promote physical activity and enhance social interactions, thereby reinforcing the importance of integrating green spaces into urban policy frameworks.
In the Indian context, the “500 Healthy Cities Programme” initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) represents a significant effort to promote urban environments that support health and well-being by 2030. This program emphasizes the need for collaborative urban planning that integrates public health considerations with socio-economic development strategies.
As a megacity such as Delhi, facing various challenges—including pollution, traffic congestion, and inadequate infrastructure, provides a critical context for exploring the implications of UGS on urban health. The city’s complex urban fabric and demographic diversity offer valuable insights into the broader issues of urbanization and public health, making it an exemplary case for studying the integration of green spaces within urban policy.
According to the Indian State Forest Report, Delhi boasted approximately 300 sq km of green space in 2015. Various agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, collaborate under the “Green Capital” Mission to augment the city’s greenery. The Parks and Garden Society coordinates greening activities, while biodiversity parks like Yamuna Biodiversity Park aim to conserve flora and fauna. Initiatives such as Green Leap Delhi, Tree Ambulance, and the City Plants a Million Tree Campaign demonstrate government commitment. The Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, with a Tree Authority and helpline, underscores Delhi’s dedication to preserving, maintaining, and expanding its tree cover. However, Delhi’s dual administrative setup, managed by both the government of NCT and the central government, hampers the city’s greening initiatives. The city faces challenges from a growing population and climate change, impacting urban green areas and exacerbating pollution issues, especially in winter [9].
The Delhi Master Plan 2041 outlines a well-defined four-pronged approach, focusing on the preservation and enhancement of natural assets, the creation of new city-level features, and the augmentation of the green-blue quotient in the built environment. This strategic framework promises environmental advantages, including heightened greens and biodiversity, diminished pollution, and heightened climate resilience.
Despite the recognized benefits of UGS, Delhi faces substantial challenges in maintaining and expanding these vital spaces. The city’s dual governance structure complicates the effective implementation of greening initiatives, often leading to fragmented policies and inconsistent enforcement. The Delhi Master Plan 2041 outlines a strategic framework aimed at enhancing green spaces, yet significant hurdles remain, including air pollution, climate change, and rapid population growth. These factors not only hinder the development of UGS but also exacerbate public health concerns, making it imperative to address these challenges through comprehensive policy measures. One of the primary challenges to UGS in Delhi is the competing demands for land use in an increasingly dense urban environment. Urban sprawl and the conversion of green areas into commercial and residential developments pose significant threats to the availability of UGS. Moreover, the need for affordable housing often overshadows the importance of maintaining green spaces, leading to a decline in the quality of urban life. Consequently, effective policymaking must strike a balance between developmental needs and the preservation of green areas, emphasizing the necessity of a robust regulatory framework to safeguard UGS against encroachment.
Furthermore, enhancing public awareness and engagement regarding the benefits of UGS is crucial. Educational initiatives can promote the importance of green spaces in urban environments, encouraging community participation in the stewardship of these areas. Community-driven projects that involve local residents in the planning, maintenance, and programming of UGS can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of urban green space policies. Such initiatives can also serve as platforms for fostering social cohesion and building community resilience in the face of urban challenges.
While challenges remain, particularly in densely populated cities like Delhi, strategic policies that prioritize the development and maintenance of green spaces can significantly contribute to healthier urban environments. The ongoing exploration of UGS policies within the framework of the Healthy Cities Programme represents a vital step toward ensuring that urban residents have access to the health benefits associated with green spaces. By leveraging insights from successful initiatives worldwide and engaging local communities, policymakers can create urban landscapes that promote well-being, resilience, and sustainability for future generations.
References
[1] A. Grahn and U. Stigsdotter, “The importance of green areas in residential environments: A conceptual model,” Journal of Urban Planning and Development, vol. 136, no. 1, pp. 60-68, 2010. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9488(2010)136:1(60).
[2] M. Middleton, “Walking and social engagement: The effects of pedestrian activity on community well-being,” Environment and Behavior, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 289-307, 2018. DOI: 10.1177/0013916517690655.
[3] N. Giles-Corti, M. Knuiman, A. Timperio, and T. Pikora, “Understanding physical activity in urban environments: A social ecological approach,” Health & Place, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 391-403, 2006. DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2005.06.001.
[4] M. R. Marselle, A. J. Santos, and J. Barlow, “The role of green spaces in urban health: An epidemiological perspective,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 10, no. 10, pp. 3512-3535, 2013. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10103512.
[5] T. Miyagawa, S. Horiuchi, and Y. Kondo, “Green spaces and mental well-being during COVID-19: The importance of accessible green spaces,” Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, vol. 70, no. 1, pp. 126931, 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2023.126931.
[6] J. Wolch, J. Byrne, and J. Newell, “Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: The case of urban parks,” Environmental Research Letters, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 011406, 2014. DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/9/1/011406.
[7] World Bank, “Urban Greening Initiative,” 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/brief/urban-greening-initiative.
[8] National Parks Board, “City in a Garden,” Government of Singapore, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/city-in-a-garden.
[9] Lokniti, “Urban Greening in Delhi: A Policy Perspective,” [Online]. Available: https://lokniti.org/. [Accessed: Dec. 2023].
[10] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), “500 Healthy Cities Programme,” Government