The relationship between greenspaces and low-income communities in Chicago
This research focuses on how access to greenspaces can benefit low-income communities in many ways.
The Research
My research question is about how you can make green spaces more accessible to low-income communities in Chicago. Green spaces are public areas with natural vegetation, such as grass, plants, or trees. These spaces may also include built environment features like urban parks, less managed areas, as well as woodland and nature reserves. Green spaces are extremely beneficial for numerous health benefits, improve air quality, and increase biodiversity. Some health benefits from having access to more green spaces are longer life expectancy, fewer mental health issues, less cardiovascular disease, better cognitive function in children and the elderly, and healthier babies. Often lower income communities are left out and left behind, excluded from the many benefits of green spaces. Within the literature review we hit on the social benefits, environmental benefits, and a few examples of green spaces and urban nature positively influencing the communities around them.
What is a Greenspace?
Green spaces are public areas with natural vegetation, such as grass, plants, or trees. In other words, a green space is a place of nature in an urban environment often used for beautification purposes and/or for recreational purposes. These spaces may also include built environment features like urban parks, less managed areas, as well as woodland and nature reserves. Not only are they beneficial to the environment but they are also great for your health.
Chicago, IL
2,716,450 residents
100 neighborhoods
50 Wards
At times there are 10+ square blocks full of concrete and buildings before you can get to a greenspace or park area.
Chicago is a city in a garden... and it is still not enough
600 parks
500 playgrounds
70 nature and bird sanctuaries
307 fields for soccer, football, lacrosse and more
250 field houses
534 tennis courts and 6 indoor courts
80 swimming pools
29 beaches
26 miles of open lakefront
303 miles of bike lanes
19 miles of lakefront bicycle paths along Lake Michigan
Benefits
Reduce crime rates
Improve air quality
Enhances biodiversity
Reduces noise
Stress and violence reduction
Improved concentration
Better health levels/ conditions
Improvements in healing processes
Environmental improvements
Safer driving
Promotes productivity
Reduces health risks
Economic stimulation
Below are a few images from around the Chicago area of different greenspaces available for the community to utilize.
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework that I chose as a foundation for my proposal is the socio-ecological framework for the relationship between greenspace access and health. This is talking about the balance and relationships between people and nature in relations to their health and social/economical status. There are many key constructs and concepts that work together to create complete this particular theoretical framework. The term socio-ecological is the complex interplay between individuals, relationships, community, and other societal factors. It is the balance between an individual and their surrounding environments. For the relationship aspect, it is the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected. Also, it is a partnership were everything works together for everyone to benefit positively.
References
Facts & Statistics. City of Chicago :: Facts & Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/facts.html
Kelly, D., Davern, M., Farahani, L., Higgs, C., & Maller, C. (2022). Urban greening for health and wellbeing in low-income communities: A baseline study in Melbourne, Australia. Cities, 120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2021.103442
Zhou, X., & Md.. Parves Rana, M. (2012). Social benefits of urban green space: A conceptual framework of valuation and accessibility measurements. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 23(2), 173–189. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777831211204921