Urban green spaces are considered one of the most appropriate and accessible ways to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures in urban environments. As the global climate warms, cities worldwide face more frequent and extreme heat waves, putting their citizens at risk. Many cities are employing strategies for reducing the impact of urban heat islands, which are generated when natural land cover is replaced with surfaces that absorb and retain heat, such as pavements and buildings. This raises the temperature by several degrees compared to the surroundings. Cities have their micro-climate, influenced by this phenomenon combined with a series of often overlooked factors. For a climate strategy to be efficient, all factors need to be taken into consideration.
Heat risk levels are also strongly correlated with the social structure of the city. Neighborhoods with less affluent and historically marginalized sectors have less access to green spaces, putting them at greater risk. Through planning regulations and land zoning, the impact on the disadvantaged citizens can be lessened, improving their health, well-being, and standards of living. Scientists like Winifred Curran and Trina Hamilton are pointing out that improving the vegetation can lead to increased property value and can lead to the displacement of long-term residents. They suggest a strategy called “just green enough”, creating strategic interventions to support local communities.
