British people are used to thinking of their country as having some of the best infrastructure in the world. But, as the saying goes, there’s always room for improvement. And one area where the nation could benefit is the matter of public outdoor spaces. According to many academics and policymakers, we don’t have enough of them.
Public spaces perform all sorts of functions from providing room to take public transport to giving people space to exercise. The benefit to the nation’s collective psyche is enormous.
Public spaces take various forms – everything from concrete plazas to rail terminals. But the fact that they exist is essential. We need them for a functioning society. Here’s why:
Improved Health And Well-Being
Many people living in the UK dwell in areas that lack access to green space. Despite the government’s target of putting everyone within a five-minute walk of a park, it’s still challenging to achieve.
Things are improving and public spending on parkland is taking off. But it is still a work in progress, and consequently, the health of the nation continues to suffer.
Social Interaction
There’s also the benefit of increased social interaction when outdoor spaces become a priority. People spend more time talking to each other and interacting.
Furthermore, public spaces knit the community together. Everyone can benefit from them without having to worry about inviting people over to their homes.
In many ways, these public areas are the foundation of British civic society. Without them, it is hard to imagine the country would play host to so many organisations, clubs, and membership organisations. Most, if not all, of them, grew out of these public arenas.
Better Organisation
There’s also an argument to suggest that public spaces facilitate better organisation. It’s just easier to get stuff done in a large city when you have them.
For example, train stations might put up digital signage to show people arrivals and departures. Likewise, large parks might have specific areas for seating and standing for festivals and concerts.
Environmental Improvements
Environmental improvements are another benefit of outdoor public spaces in the UK. These venues often offer plenty of greenery and habitats where wildlife can thrive in the midst of the urban jungle.
Outdoor spaces are also good for improving temperature regulation. These areas don’t absorb and radiate heat like roads and buildings do. Rather, they control it more naturally, reducing the impact of the so-called “urban heat island effect”, something that’s becoming more of an issue because of climate change.
Greater Appreciation Of The Natural World
Lastly, adding more outdoor green spaces to UK cities could improve people’s mood. That’s because there are now so many people who are interested in nature and everything it offers.
During the pandemic, many people were unable to leave their homes or enjoy the environment around them. However, since then, a new appreciation of nature has been creeping into the public. People want to experience something other than the cities they live in or the immediate neighbourhood around them.
