Open Space/ Green Space

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, open space is any open piece of land that is undeveloped (has no buildings or other built structures) and is accessible to the public. Open space can include:

• Green space (land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation). Green space includes parks, community gardens, and cemeteries.

• Schoolyards

• Playgrounds

• Public seating areas

• Public plazas

• Vacant lots

Open space provides recreational areas for residents and helps to enhance the beauty and environmental quality of neighborhoods. It is crucial towards planning and design practices because it allows the public to retreat and produces a higher standard of living. Green and open spaces may be one of the answers to socially benefiting a city because of its characteristic of providing a place of retreat. Green spaces can cater to crime prevention because of the soul presence of trees and shrubbery in an area.

References: http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/uep/openspace.html

http://www-laep.ced.berkeley.edu/classes/la255/htdocs_10/readings/comps/weimin_IF.pdf