March 2025
New research tells us that building parks in new communities is crucial for cleaner air. With house building a priority for the new UK Government, University of Bath engineers have co-authored research that urges city planners not to forget to build parks and to include green spaces in new communities.
They found parks are the most effective green, blue and grey infrastructure (GBGI) at reducing air pollution city-wide by up to 22%.
Air pollution abatement from Green-Blue-Grey infrastructure…..
https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2024.100100
Similarly, an international team led by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has ascertained how green spaces contribute to the well-being of city-dwellers. Looking at south Asia, the research shows that parks play an essential role in the well-being of individuals, regardless of their social class, and that they cannot be replaced by other venues where people meet, such as shopping centers. When these parks are closed — as during the COVID-19 pandemic — it intensifies inequalities.
Green public spaces in the cities of South and Southeast Asia. Protecting needs towards sustainable well-being
https://www.journalpublicspace.org/index.php/jps/article/view/1286
Smart phones data. A new study demonstrates how anonymized GPS data from people’s smartphones can be used to monitor the public’s use of parks and other green spaces in urban areas, which could help inform their management.
Using smartphone-GPS data to quantify human activity in green spaces.
https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010725
National parks USA In the USA, the Trump administration’s steep cuts to staff at national parks, forests and wildlife habitats have triggered a growing backlash, as public access and conservation efforts in these remote wild landscapes fade away…….
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx7kez4vx2o
There are similar cuts to the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. One commentator suggested the use of wind chimes to warn of approaching hurricanes in future.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/trump-noaa-cuts-climate
Playgrounds An exhibition of play and art… Swing time: playgrounds at their most artful – in pictures……..n
Solar parks. Solar parks can enhance bird diversity in agricultural landscapes……. …….solar parks designed and managed in synergy with a stronger focus on wildlife would have an even greater positive impact on bird diversity in an agricultural landscape. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119902
Open data and the park. Characterising London parks and gardens using open data…….Parks are open spaces planned and designed for leisure and recreation and together with other green spaces they have great value for people, especially in urban areas. To understand the spatial distribution of parks and green spaces, and what types of parks work best and for whom, we need to identify, describe, and categorise parks holistically https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113213
Urban Trees: essential assets for healthier, resilient places
The Woodland Trust’s recent Urban Trees and Forests position statement emphasises the critical role of urban trees and forests in enhancing city environments. Urban trees offer numerous benefits, including improved air quality, flood mitigation, and enhanced mental well-being
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2025/01/urban-trees-and-forests-position-statement
Floating eco-park…….Wild Mile Chicago, the world’s first ever floating eco park………a wildlife-first approach to public greenspace……. https://wildmile.org/
UK Plant and Share month……Plant & Share returns in April 2025 to help inspire the nation to get the UK growing together. Exploring four key themes Growing for All, Growing for Joy, Growing to Eat and Growing for Nature. Each week has resources and tips to get your growing activities off the ground.
https://www.sustainablefoodplaces.org/events/plant-and-share
The Big Apple …..How to find New York City’s hidden parks and public spaces …… https://gothamist.com/news/how-to-find-new-york-citys-hidden-parks-and-public-spaces
Promenade Plantee, Paris……..the Coulée Verte René-Dumont, or Promenade Plantée as it’s become known, was the world’s first elevated urban park when it opened in the late 1980s
Cherry blossom, Japan……..Here’s the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2025 – updated https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/heres-the-official-japan-cherry-blossom-forecast-for-2025-011725