{"id":4398,"date":"2014-09-08T20:45:04","date_gmt":"2014-09-08T20:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/botabota.ca\/hublot\/bota-bota\/the-main-benefits-of-green-spaces-in-urban-environments\/"},"modified":"2018-11-07T23:03:56","modified_gmt":"2018-11-07T23:03:56","slug":"the-main-benefits-of-green-spaces-in-urban-environments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/botabota.ca\/en\/hublot\/design-and-fashion\/the-main-benefits-of-green-spaces-in-urban-environments\/","title":{"rendered":"The main benefits of green spaces in urban environments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>By Annie Rousseau<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Parks, gardens, green alleys, living roofs and walls: within city limits, green spaces come in all shapes and sizes. Not only do these urban oases make our neighbourhoods prettier, they also have many benefits on our well-being. Here are just a few of the pros when it comes to these green paradises.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>They are associated with better physical health<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Research has proven that green spaces in urban environments have a positive impact on our health. According to a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, these spaces create veritable oases of better health around them. They are also associated with an increase in physical activity: they encourage us to get off the couch and get moving! Indeed, isn\u2019t jogging among gorgeous greenery much more motivating than a concrete jungle? Montreal\u2019s countless parks also act as giant backyards for families across the city. Many of them offer play areas, sprinklers, paddling pools, and a host of other installations for kids and bigger kids to stretch their legs and expend their energy!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>They are the enemy of urban heat islands<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>An urban heat island (UHI) is an urban zone that is significantly warmer than its surrounding areas. The difference in temperature between a heat island and a normal area can be quite remarkable, going from 5\u00b0C to 10\u00b0C according to the Conseil r\u00e9gional de l\u2019environnement de Montr\u00e9al. Heat islands are mainly caused by a lack of vegetation; not surprising, then, that increasing the amount of green spaces in metropolitan areas is the best way to counter them. In Montreal, a number of initiatives aiming to support the creation of green spaces are emerging, such as the Ville en vert project, whose mission is to create cool islands among low-rent housing. Wanna get your hands dirty? <a title=\"Espace pour la vie\" href=\"http:\/\/espacepourlavie.ca\/en\/my-garden\">Espace pour la vie\u2019s My Garden<\/a> program encourages you to create a space dedicated to biodiversity and to have your own My Space for Life garden certified.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>They won\u2019t let pollution win without a fight<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\nNot only do urban green spaces help reduce ambient noise and temperature, they also contribute to the fight against pollution. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and filter air pollutants such as dust, ozone, and heavy metals, so it\u2019s no wonder letting nature take over is good news for our lungs!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>They boost morale<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\nAccording to Quebec\u2019s Institut national de sant\u00e9 publique, the presence of green spaces is associated with many significantly positive effects on the environment and on the population\u2019s physical and mental health. Indeed, vegetation not only helps appease anxiety, depression, and stress, it also reduces mental fatigue and improves general mood \u2013 all great reasons for urban dwellers to frequent green spaces as often as possible. So next time you have a difficult day, try to walk home, take a stroll around your favourite park, and take deep breaths of fresh air.<\/p>\n<p>Convinced, but in need of inspiration? Here are some of my favourite spots for enjoying the benefits of greenery in and around Montreal:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Oratoire Saint-Joseph\" href=\"http:\/\/www.saint-joseph.org\/en\/sanctuary\/gardens\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Saint-Joseph Oratory gardens<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>No need to crawl up the stairs on your knees to appreciate the magnificent gardens behind the Saint-Joseph Oratory. Little known (and often little frequented), this spot embodies serenity. Put on your favourite playlist and let yourself be carried away. http:\/\/www.saint-joseph.org\/en\/sanctuary\/gardens<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Westmount Greenhouses<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>This haven of peace was created in 1923 and houses awe-inspiring flowers, fountains, and even a play area. Calm, welcoming, luminous and\u2026 tropical, this place is brimming with scents and colours. It\u2019s an especially comforting environment in the dead of winter when greenery is nowhere else to be found!<br \/>\n4574 Sherbrooke West, Westmount<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.morganarboretum.org\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Morgan Arboretum<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Situated on the western tip of the island, in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, this 245-hectare forested reserve is well worth the trip. Snow shoeing, skiing, bird watching, hiking: a myriad of activities take place in this enchanting decor. And for you sweet tooths out there: there\u2019s even a maple grove!<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Green alleys\" href=\"http:\/\/ville.montreal.qc.ca\/portal\/page?_pageid=7357,114005570&amp;_dad=portal&amp;_schema=PORTAL (French only)\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Green alleys<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One of my most beloved pastimes on a sunny Sunday afternoon is to stroll around the green alleys of my neighbourhood to the beat of my favourite music. There\u2019s nothing better when I need to clear my mind or find new inspiration!<\/p>\n<p>To see the full list of parks and green spaces in Montreal, visit ville.montreal.qc.ca!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Parks, gardens, green alleys\u2026: green spaces have countless benefits on the well-being of citizens. Here are some of the main ones, plus the top 4 places to visit in Montreal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":4399,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,85],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The main benefits of green spaces in urban environments | Bota Bota, spa-sur-l&#039;eau<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/botabota.ca\/hublot\/design-et-mode\/les-principaux-benefices-des-espaces-verts-urbains\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The main benefits of green spaces in urban environments | Bota Bota, spa-sur-l&#039;eau\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Parks, gardens, green alleys\u2026: green spaces have countless benefits on the well-being of citizens. 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