Urban green spaces mitigate extreme temperatures, by providing shade and absorbing heat. Trees and parks interrupt heavy rainfall and so manage water run-off. Additionally, they allow for better water absorption and thus are important to mitigate floods during extreme weather events. Urban green spaces come in various shapes and forms (green pockets, tiny forests). When you link these together, a Green network emerges.
Urban green pockets /forests with trees and native herbaceous plants create shade and lower the temperature and reduce runoff and flooding. These spaces provide a ground for the community to connect and gather together in cultural events.
Feasibility & Local Applicability
Some spatial planning permissions may be necessary. Ideally, green pockets are connected via green road verges. Additionally, water availability and the presence of roaming animals must be addressed to ensure these green spaces remain lush over time.
Co-benefits
These spaces could provide wide range of socio-economic as well as environmental benefits and will increase the climate resilience of cities.
Strategic greenery can be combined with other objectives. For example advanced agriculture such as hydrophonics and aquaphonics can also be considered as they can be installed in urban areas. These are great for food security, but don’t necessary offer the same benefits as ground-based agriculture.
Equity & Vulnerability Considerations
Communities could set up social networks to be able to decide on how to care for the green spaces, and to keep them inclusive.
Costs
Medium
Case studies & Examples
- Aruba vision 2050
- Aruba Reforestation Program
- Salina de Vlijt
- Curacao: Tiny forest Klein College Curacao (2020)
Literature
- Climate Acion LAC. (2024). Resilient Coastal Caribbean Cities: 3 strategies to integrate NbS in urban planning and development.
- Climate Adapt
- Quesada, B. (2025).Urban forests mitigate extreme heat exposure in a vulnerable tropical city. Urban Climate, 59, 102311.