Green spaces play a crucial role in urban environments, offering a range of benefits to both the environment and the well-being of city residents. Despite the urban heat island effect (refers to heat trapped in built-up areas) and pollution being significant challenges in rapidly developing cities like Ho Chi Minh City, green spaces have not been a top priority for city leaders.
Ho Chi Minh City has undertaken initiatives to increase the total area of public parks to 11,400 hectares. The city planned to add at least 10 hectares of parks and two hectares of public green spaces in 2022, with a 10-year plan aiming to add at least 150 hectares of public parks by 2030. The focus is on planting trees, building parks, and renovating deteriorated green spaces in housing projects until 2025.
The benefits of incorporating more green spaces in urban areas are substantial. These areas provide ecosystem services, including improved air quality, pollution reduction, carbon sequestration, shade, noise reduction, erosion control, and water filtration. Access to green spaces in urban areas also positively impacts the health and well-being of residents, leading to improved cognitive development, reduced symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, lower obesity rates, and enhanced mental health.
Several projects and budgets are allocated to enhance green spaces in Ho Chi Minh City, such as the Climate Resilient Urban Services Project. Additionally, Hanoi has plans for 60 parks, and Ho Chi Minh City aims to plant or rehabilitate 6,000 trees and add more green spaces within a 10-year plan.
In terms of temperature regulation, green spaces help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reducing temperatures in urban areas by up to 3-4°C. The urban heat island effect, caused by human activities, is alleviated by the ability of green spaces to absorb carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For the health of children, access to green spaces in urban areas brings cognitive development benefits, reduces symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, fights obesity, and positively affects mental well-being. Studies also link increased green space exposure during pregnancy and childhood to better birth outcomes and a lower risk of obesity and neurodevelopmental issues.
Similarly, green spaces offer considerable health benefits to the elderly, including improved mental and physical health, stress reduction, and a protective effect against mental health and cardiovascular problems.
Regarding pollution reduction, green spaces in cities contribute to improved air quality through carbon sequestration, natural air cleansing by trees and shrubs, and overall mitigation of pollution effects and the urban heat island effect.
In summary, green spaces in Ho Chi Minh City serve as vital components in addressing environmental challenges, promoting the well-being of residents, and contributing to the overall sustainability and resilience of the city.
Sources:
List of parks to visit.
https://www.vietnamcoracle.com/saigons-parks-open-spaces/
https://www.vietnamdrive.com/hcmc-parks/
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