Where the Grass is Greener: Urban Green Spaces, Sustainability, Mental Health, and Social Inequity

Abstract

From meticulously groomed parks and yards to forgotten patches of untamed growth, Urban Green Spaces (UGS) exist on a spectrum. Curated landscapes have a long and complex history, reflecting societal ideals and embracing nature while, paradoxically, suppressing biodiversity and deepening socioeconomic divides. To maximize aesthetics and usage, chemical treatments and intensive fossil-fuel upkeep methods are frequently employed. This harms pollinators, disrupts ecosystems, and can introduce intended beneficiaries to dangerous contaminants and pollutants. In contrast, Informal Green Spaces (IGS) such as abandoned lots, small community gardens, and similar lightly tended spaces nurture greater ecological diversity by allowing native species to thrive. And yet, these spaces can face legal barriers and stigmatization, particularly in less affluent neighborhoods where IGS are more common. Socioeconomic disparities are further exacerbated when green initiatives increase property values and displace residents, a phenomenon known as eco-gentrification. To address this gap, this paper examines collaborative urban planning methods and science-based planting strategies that integrate community voices and environmental needs. Such a route emphasizes the potential for UGS to enhance physical and psychological health, mitigate climate effects, and strengthen community bonds.