Loss of Green Spaces
Urban development is eliminating parks, forests, and natural areas that provide environmental benefits, recreation opportunities, and habitat for wildlife, reducing community livability and environmental resilience.
Ways to address it
3 approaches- Community Garden and Urban AgricultureSupport community gardens, urban farms, and food forests that provide green space, local food production, educational opportunities, and community gathering places while improving environmental quality.
- Green Development StandardsRequire new developments to include green space, preserve existing trees, and provide environmental impact mitigation through on-site or off-site conservation measures and green building requirements.
- Urban Forest and Parks ExpansionAcquire and preserve open spaces through park bonds, conservation easements, and land banking programs, while implementing tree planting initiatives and creating pocket parks in dense urban areas.