What roles do parks and green spaces play in urban land-use planning?

• A. Parks reduce property values.
• B. Parks provide recreation, ecosystem services, heat mitigation, and social cohesion.
• C. Parks are only aesthetic and have no impact on health.
• D. Parks substitute for transportation.

Answer: (B)

Parks and green spaces are a key part of urban land-use planning because they serve multiple, intertwined functions that shape how cities grow and how people experience them. They provide recreation, supporting physical activity and mental well-being; they deliver ecosystem services like habitat for urban biodiversity, flood and stormwater management, cleaner air, and carbon storage; they help mitigate heat through shade and evapotranspiration, reducing the urban heat island effect; and they foster social cohesion by offering accessible, inclusive places for community gathering and cultural exchange. These benefits influence decisions on zoning, density, and resilience, ensuring development supports livability rather than compromising it. Parks don’t reduce property values, aren’t solely aesthetic with no health impact, and don’t substitute for transportation—they complement and enhance the overall urban system.