Growing With a City

Every environmental studies student, urban planner, and city government official has been told the benefit of integrating nature into cities. Aesthetic value, ecological services, and increased biodiversity are among the many benefits that city green spots can offer.

However, one of the most crucial and under looked aspects of green cities is the effect on the youngest members of society. Robert Pyle’s article Free Range Kids discusses the effect of direct nature, or the direct immersion of kids in a natural environment without the interference of adults, and how it directly impacts the development and physicality of children.

This contrasts the all to common indirect experience in which kids experience nature through structured environments (aquariums, zoos, etc,),  or the experience of nature through the eyes of adults in which adults determine which experiences kids should be introduced to.

When planning green cities, embracing the development of younger citizens should be embraced. Creating areas where anyone of any age can feel safe and allowed to disconnect from other people and parental figures and make their own decisions should be taken into consideration.

Allowing children these experiences helps them develop as an individual and create a connection and feeling of belonging. Allowing kids the freedom of exploration develops problem-solving skills that might normally be compromised with indoor and directed activities.

Perhaps the most important aspect of providing green spaces is the provision of these areas in low-income neighborhoods. With a high percentage of parents working one or more jobs, kids in these areas are often separated from green city features.

Many of these kids lack the opportunity to venture into the mountains and national parks, and local green spaces often provide their only connection with nature. Building upon and improving these spaces are critical in creating safe and important community space.

 Creating safe and widespread green space where kids are able to access it without parental supervision has the potential to aid in the growth of lower income families promoting better health habits and developmental patterns.

Along with providing green space within cities is the needed education to partner with these areas. Offering free gardening classes and wildlife classes within green spaces creates a sense of uniqueness and connectedness within the community.

Swaner EcoCenter outside of Park City provides a vivid example of incorporating community groups to native green areas in the middle of urban areas.  Affordable summer camps for kids allow exploration within local wetland and provide lessons on local biota and processes on a kid friendly level. Ultimately this program allows kids to learn and grow through playing in the dirt.

Planners and city officials have the ability to empower kids through the development and improvement of city green spaces. Reflecting back upon nature experiences as a kid offers a relaxing reminder of the importance of keeping cities green for all future generatons.