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At the turn of the 20th Century,the majority of Indians lived in Rural areas and small towns.However, at the beginning of 21st century,every 4th Indian is a city dweller. As a city dweller as myself,many of us are in desperate need of open spaces and refresh ourselves in the outdoors.
City parks improve our physical and psychological health, and make our cities and neighbourhoods more attractive places to live and work. However, too few Indians are able to enjoy these benefits. More than 70% percent of Indian City Dwellers live in areas that are severely lacking in park space. Only 10-20% percent of City residents live within walking distance of a nearby park. Also it has been seen that Low-income neighbourhoods populated by minorities and recent immigrants are especially short of Open spaces. Hence, there is a strong need to address such imbalances.
Some of the steps that will Promote Urban Parks are as follows -
1. Urban Parks as Community Places
India is a country of festivals. Festivals such as Diwali or Holi must be celebrated in parks. This provides a wonderful opportunity to enliven and enlarge the public realm of the city. Green spaces, Meditation centres and Hiking trails should be built in new age Urban parks for enhancing the Community Engagement. Walking Roller Coaster ride is an exquisite example of how Open Urban spaces can be made more Socially Engaging.
2. Parks as Playgrounds for Poor Neighbourhoods
In poor neighbourhoods, most of the Schools have poorly designed School-yard. Simply slabs of asphalt surrounded by barbed wire fences, with a locked gate. For a few hours each school day, children use them to burn off steam,and the valuable land gets no maintain-ance after schools hours. Thus, through Public Private partnership such Schools can rent upPlay-Yards in Urban spaces specifically designed for them.Such Social proposition will be beneficial for both the Neighbourhood and the Urban park.
Hiking,Biking,Nature Trail ..U just name it !!
3.Tax-Free Biking to Work Through a Park
Urban Parks should be designed in such a way that Biking trails create a short and exciting route to your work. Also, Tax Free cycling schemescan be promoted by NGO's through Government schemes for Green Transportation. Designing such Urban Landscapes will necessarily pave way for promoting Urban parks and Green Transportation. More so, if the existing Parks can be designed with Spaces where people can Dock there Electronic devices and Work then the purpose will be doubly benefited.
4. Parks as Recreation centres for Youth
Parks can serve the purpose of Youth Development community-based activities that help them build essential skills,knowledge, and aptitudes.The assets both children and youth need for their development fall into the major domains - physical, intellectual, psychological
and social. Community based programs that are Fun can help both Kids and Youth to acquire skills in any of the 4 domains. Organizing a Debate competition on Ecological benefits of park, Promoting Hiking and Biking for the youth and planting a community garden are all physically challenging yet intellectually stimulating activities of youth development. Also, Eco Friendly Gyms for the Youth should be developed and promoted.
5. Rain Water Harvesting, Recycling and Reuse Centre
As the catchment area is large,Parks present huge opportunity for Rain water harvesting.The water collected can be used for ground water table enhancement, and for Public Water supply for nearby neighbourhood. More so, through Public-Private partnership NGO's can demonstrate Recycle, Reuse activities and organize such events. Thus, Urban Parks can Promote Sustainability within the vicinity.
Mahatma Gandhi ji has said - “The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our fore fathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.”
It is the responsibility of the City Administrators and Concerned citizens that this Era of Relentless building of Pavements and Concrete must be regulated and Green Areas must be promoted. This will enhance the quality of life for every city dweller. Thus, using such innovative methods Urban parks can be integrated into the Busy lives of us City Dwellers.
I will end the post with this amazing experience of Best Parks around the world from Sustainable Living tips - http://www.sustainablelivingtips.net/2009/09/worlds-best-urban-parks.html.
Enjoy the virtual tour ..
